March 23-29, 2005

Museum of Northwest Art "Northwest Matriarchs of Modernism" showcases work by a dozen artists working between 1940 and 1970, including figurative painter Viola Patterson, abstract painter Mary Henry, and sculptor Hilda Morris. 121 S. First St. (La Conner), 360-466-4446. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily.

Seattle Art Museum "Between Past and Future" is a thrilling showcase of contemporary Chinese video and photography, much of it focused on the body in relation to the world. Though small and suppressed, the avant-garde is clearly alive and vital in communist China. Standouts in this superb show include Zhang Huan's iconic photos of language and identity, Family Tree, Rong Rong's disturbing images of visceral performance art, Li Wei's clever experiments with mirrors, and Zhao Lian's video-game-inspired exploration of authority, Social Survey. Also on display: "Africa in America," a varied and complex exploration of slavery, displacement, and ethnic culture as portrayed in African-American art of the late 20th century, including work by James W. Washington Jr., Kara Walker, Ellen Gallagher, Oliver Jackson, and Marita Dingus. 100 University St., 206-654-3100. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sun.; 10 a.m.- 9 p.m. Thurs.

Seattle Asian Art Museum "Mountain Dreams" collects contemporary ceramics incised with Buddhist text by Korean artist Yoon Kwang- cho. Volunteer Park, 1400 E. Prospect Ave., 206-625-8900. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wed.-Sun.; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Thurs.