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Lectures and Events

Curator Talk: The Work of the Work Henry Art Gallery chief curator Elizabeth Brown talks about ways in which contemporary art works on viewers plus her multiyear project involved in mounting this ambitious and eclectic show. 2 p.m. Sun. Nov. 14. Henry Art Gallery, UW campus, free with admission, 206-543-2280.

Meet the Artists Jack Straw Productions promotes interdisciplinary artists working in all realms of sound—and this annual event allows JSP artists to discuss their work. This evening, meet Ellen Sollod, who recently helped create the “Thinking in Public” exhibit about the Smith Tower at the county’s Gallery 4Culture space; free-jazz drummer Bob Rees; Tamara Friedman, who plays classical keyboard music on period instruments; and theater designer/gothic spectacle creator Curtis Taylor. 7 p.m. Tues. Nov. 16. Jack Straw Productions, 4261 Roosevelt Way N.E., free, 206-634-0919.

Meet the Curator: Ken Lum The curator of CoCA’s Northwest Annual talks about this year’s selections and presents two juror awards. 6:30 p.m. Wed. Nov. 10, Center on Contemporary Art, 410 Dexter Ave. N., free with admission, 206-728-1980.

Lecture: Marcel Duchamp As part of the “Science of Art” program at the Museum of Glass, Rhonda Roland Shearer talks about Duchamp’s novel idea of the readymade. 2 p.m. Sun. Nov. 14. Museum of Glass, 704 Terry Ave., free with admission, 206-622-9250.

Symposium: Spain in the Age of Exploration Seven esteemed scholars from Europe and the U.S. delve deeply into the history and art of Spain’s golden age all in the context of SAM’s current show of Spanish art and artifacts. Keynote address and reception: 7 p.m. Fri. Nov. 12; symposium: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat. Nov. 13. Seattle Art Museum, 100 University St., $7-$25, 206-654-3100.

Last Chance

Frye Art Museum In “Figuring the Forces,” contemporary realist painter Scott Goodwillie brings a baroque sensibility to contemporary anxieties and conflicts. 704 Terry Ave., 206-622-9250. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sat.; noon-5 p.m. Sun.; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Thurs. Ends Sun. Nov. 14.

Crawl Space University of Washington MFA graduate Gregory Schaffer’s “Come Clean” offers deadpan photos of Wal-Marts, parking lots, and other banal locales—and finds odd moments of beauty in things like melted ice cream on hot pavement. 504 E. Denny Way #1 (near Olive), 206-240-6015. Noon-5 p.m. Sat.-Sun. Ends Sat. Nov. 13.

Davidson Now in his 70s, Robert Marx is a figurative painter and sculptor sui generis. Nearly every painting in this new series is a portrait of a woman—some in vaguely Victorian or Mennonite dresses, others young girls, and all scratched onto the canvas with exquisitely fine brushwork. The decline of the body is a theme Marx returns to again and again: Hands and heads are severed, figures are lit up under X-rays, wigs hover over chemotherapy baldness, and fingers are splayed out in a tense calm. If this all sounds a bit grim, it’s not—there’s a magnificent dignity to each of Marx’s intensely human figures. 313 Occidental Ave. S., 206-624-7684. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sat. Ends Sat. Nov. 13.

Henry Art Gallery “Santiago Calatrava: The Architect’s Studio” showcases the notebooks, models, and work of the ultramodern Spanish architect with a fondness for organic swoops and curves. UW campus, 206-543-2280. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sun.; 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Thurs. Ends Sun. Nov. 14.

Jacob Lawrence Gallery A group show of UW faculty work in ceramics, fiber arts, sculpture, painting, and photography. UW campus, School of Art, 206-685-1805. Noon-4 p.m. Tues.-Sat. Ends Sat. Nov. 13.

Wingnut Galleries Portraits by local painters Nana Bagdavadze and Gini Lawson. 1205 E. Pike St., 206-328-2978. Ends Sat. Nov. 13.

Winston Wächter This gallery on Dexter moves a couple blocks—into more spacious digs (and that much closer to the heart of the art scene). They’re celebrating with a show of gallery favorites, including Victoria Adams, Bo Bartlett, Eric Fischl, Caio Fonseca, and Hiro Yokose. 203 Dexter Ave. N., 206-652-5855, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sat. Ends Sat. Nov. 13.

Openings

Phoenix Rising Gallery Talented ceramicist Tim Foss’ new work includes droplet-drenched abstract forms. 2030 Western Ave. 206-728-2332.

Priceless Works In “Memento Mori” Chauney Peck’s stainlike abstract paintings on vinyl allude to decay along the seashore; plus, Elise Richman’s three- dimensional confections of paint; design work and assorted ephemera from the band Climax Golden Twins; and drawings from Jesse Paul Miller. 619 N. 35th St., Suite 100, 206-349-9943. Noon-6 p.m. Thurs.-Sun.

Seattle Art Museum Rental/Sales Gallery In the fifth of a series of “guest” shows highlighting various local galleries, Capitol Hill’s Ballard/Fetherston gets the call. This gallery’s abstract artists tend to be standouts—look for work by Deborah Bell, Elizabeth Jameson, and Michael Schultheis. Also on display: a print show by local artists including Claire Cowie, Betty Merken, and others. Opening: 5-7 p.m. Thurs. Nov. 11. 1220 Third Ave., 206-343-1101. 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat.

Seattle LGBT Community Center Gallery The laconically titled “Show” features new work by Cody Blomberg, Drew Lienau, Chris Connors, Ivan Wright, and Bill Hacker. Reception: 7-9 p.m. Fri. Nov. 12. 1115 E. Pike St. 206-323-5428. Noon-9 p.m.

Galleries

1506 Projects “Accumulation” is a grab bag of work by locals: Jefre Cantu’s small, Op Art–inspired paintings incorporating electrical tape, an installation by Brock Shomo, and Peter Burger’s art made from coffee filters and tracings of pennies. 1506 E. Olive, 206-329-5400. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat.-Sun.

Artemis Vibrantly colored landscapes and flora paintings by Kansas City–based painter and former Seattle resident Eric Bashor. 3107 S. Day St., 206-323-0562. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sat.

Atelier 31 New York artist James Croak is best known for figurative sculptures made from dirt—he burst on the scene in the 1980s, but hasn’t gained much notoriety since then. “This Is Not a Dress Rehearsal” showcases work over the last couple decades—including dirt sculptures of babies and business-suited everymen plus other earthy sculptures in latex and tar. Also showing: Seattle artist Layne Kleinart’s rough portraits of sock monkeys and other plush critters. 2500 First Ave., 206-448-5250. 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon.-Tues.; 10:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Wed.-Sat.; noon-5 p.m. Sun.

Ballard/Fetherston Michael Schultheis’ scrappy abstract canvases, plus something I think could be potentially cool: Frank Huster’s abstract photographs of crumbling walls and flaking paint. 818 E. Pike St., 206-322-9440. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sat.

Benham A group show of new work by photographers David Fokos, who takes minimalist landscapes; Rosanne Olson, who specializes in 4×5 and pinhole cameras; and Peggy Washburn, a local photographer and director of the Insight Youth photography program for at-risk teens. 1216 First Ave., 206-622-2480. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sat.; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sun.

Bluebottle Hip-hop cartoonist, animator, and masterful DJ Kid Koala shows selections from his first graphic novel, Nufonia Must Fall, about a down-and-out robot looking for love. 415 E. Pine St., 206-325-1592. 1-7 p.m. Tues.-Fri., noon-6 p.m. Sat.-Sun.

Bryan Ohno Portland artist Jay Backstrand juxta-poses several subjects in each of his hyper-realist paintings. 155 S. Main St., 206-667-9572. 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. Tues.-Sat.

Capitol Hill Arts Center Three-dimensional wall assemblages using wire, wood, army toys, and other found materials by Tove Langridge, Monika Proffitt, and Paul Thomas. 1621 12th Ave., 206-388-0600. 6-10 p.m. Wed.-Fri.; 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sat.

City Space A group of local artists including Perri Lynch, Teri Hein, and John Roloff “working with the device of an artificial ‘park’ within the gallery.” 701 Fifth Ave. (Bank of America Tower), third floor, 206-749-9525, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri.

CoCA CoCA’s “Northwest Annual,” juried by Ken Lum, gives gallery time to scores of artists from around the world. 410 Dexter Ave. N., 206-728-1980. 2-8 p.m. Tues.-Thurs., noon-5 p.m. Fri.-Sun.

Consolidated Works “Quiet Revolution” is a group show that promises “interpersonal politics, atmospheric conditions, civil disobedience, fantasy vs. the real, and sensorial information.” Artists include Mandy Greer, who creates lovely installations that weave fables in fabric, beads, and glitter; Paul Margolis, who does amazing things with quilts; Jack Ryan, whose installation contains hundreds of acrylic ears; and Kat Tomka’s sculptures made from Scotch tape. 500 Boren Ave. N., 4-8 p.m. Thurs.-Fri., 1-8 p.m. Sat.-Sun. 206-860-5245.

Cornish College Gallery A group show by Cornish faculty in illustration, design, and interior design, including work by artists Ellen Forney and Brian Murphy, plus music industry designer Emilie Burnham. 1000 Lenora, first floor, 206-726-5011. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Mon.-Fri.

Foster/White New modernist sculpture in bronze and glass by Gerard Tsutakawa. 123 S. Jackson, 206-622-2833. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon.-Sat.; noon-5 p.m. Sun.

Francine Seders Pit-fired clay ceramics and bronze vessels by California-Kauai artist David Kuraoka. 6701 Greenwood Ave. N., 206-782-0355. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.- Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun.

Gallery 110 Scott Mansfield’s mixed-media sculptures incorporate books, ceramics, and found objects in playful, geometrically vibrant compositions; also on display, local painter Patti Bezzo’s hyper-real paintings of Seattle locales. 110 S. Washington St., 206-624-9336. Noon- 5 p.m. Wed.-Sat.

Gallery 4 Culture Chad States’ staged tableaux photographs have all the posed phoniness and beautiful people of a Land’s End catalog—but the scenes enact weird, ambiguous dramas of conflict and mystery. 506 Second Ave., Suite 200 (Smith Tower), 206-296-7580. 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Mon.-Fri.

G. Gibson A show of mixed-media paintings, sculpture, and elongated dresses by outsider artist Larry Calkins—who creates sentimental paintings stocked with animals, calligraphylike scribbles, and other symbolic motifs. 514 E. Pike St., 206-587-4033. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Wed.-Fri.; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat.

Garde Rail Self-trained, D.C.–based artist Bill Miller creates delicate landscapes and portraits of his family members using vintage linoleum and vinyl flooring pieces—using a method somewhere between collage and stained glass. 110 Third Ave. S., 206-621-1055. 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Wed.-Fri.; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat.

Greg Kucera I have mixed feelings about Darren Waterston’s “13 Paintings.” There’s no doubt that these watery, astral abstractions have a fine sense of composition and color—there’s a fine balance of vaguely biological, fluid forms. And often the paintings have the feel of Chinese landscapes set on Jupiter. But there’s just something a little too easy to like about it all— it’s just too pretty and celestial in a New Age-y sort of way. 212 Third Ave., 206-624-0770. 10:30 a.m.- 5:30 p.m. Tues.-Sat.

Grover/Thurston Earnest and boring sculptures and paintings of heartwarming human figures, birds, dogs, etc. by Terry Turrell. 309 Occidental St., 206-223-0816. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sat.

Howard House From Alex Schweder, the artist who brought you “Peeples”—little cutout people who changed color when peed on in a urinal—now we have “Lovesick Buildings,” an investigation of consumption, architecture, and bodily functions. Look forward to an installation making use of sugar, scratch-and-sniff wallpaper, and projected video among other materials. Also on display: abstract works on paper and in collage by Robert Yoder, a very skilled modernist whose new work ventures into unusual materials, including vinyl, tape, and nail polish. 604 Second Ave., 206-256-6399. 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sat.

James Harris Jeffry Mitchell’s sometimes overly sweet work is influenced by the Japanese traditions of sumi and ceramics, and this small show samples some of his cut-paper paintings of chrysanthemums and gaudy ceramics, including a wildly baroque grapes-and-cherubs-thing in gaudy metallic glaze. 309A Third Ave., 206-903-6220. 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Tues.-Sat.

Kirkland Arts Center “Ruffle: Decadent Vexation” features fluff with a purpose by Elizabeth Jameson, Mandy Greer, Kris Lyons, and Anna Maltz. 620 Market St. 425-822-7161. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon.-Fri.

Kittredge Gallery Theory-laden abstract painting and sculpture by Matthew Gehring and Rebecca Murtaugh’s “Color Coded,” a site-specific installation using an art medium most of us deskbound folks can appreciate: 10,000 Post-It notes. University of Puget Sound campus, 1500 N. Lawrence (Tacoma), 253-879-2806. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Mon.-Fri.; 1-4 p.m. Sat.

Lisa Harris Overly cheery, Matisse-like monotype prints of birds, flowers, masquerade masks, and Tuscan sunshine by Kim Osgood. Nice if you like this sort of thing. 1922 Pike Pl., 206-443-3315. 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Mon.-Sat.; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sun.

National Parks Conservation Association “Away Out Over Everything” collects Mary Peck’s stunning photos of the Olympic Peninsula’s Elwha Valley. 313-A First Ave., 206-903-1444, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri., Noon-5 p.m. Sat.-Sun.

Photographic Center Northwest In “Fotografías,” local photographer Eduardo Calderón wanders the alleyways of Rome, Peru, New York, Mexico, and Seattle, finding little poems of life and freezing them on film. Never one to crop or manipulate his images, there’s an honesty to his roving eye, but also a kind of mystical edge that goes beyond mere documentation.900 12th Ave., 206-720-7222. Noon-9:30 p.m. Mon.; 9 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Tues.-Sun.

Platform In his second gallery show in town (the other is at Suyama Space) Brian Murphy uses odd angles and mirrors to paint honest, unflattering self-portraits. 114 Third Ave. S., 206-323-2808. 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Thurs.-Sat.

Richard Hugo House There’s something more than a little disturbing about art that makes use of human hair—maybe it’s the fact that hair is a castoff of human existence that has an uncanny way of outlasting us. Or maybe it’s just that finding a hair somewhere other than on someone’s head gives us the shivers. Whatever the case, local artist Jennifer Gardner incorporates hair into each of her altarlike boxes, reliquaries, and little installations that recall the quirky-odd boxes of Joseph Cornell. But Gardner’s stuff is more lush in a boudoir sort of way and slightly more morbid. And then there’s the hair, in braids and clumps and tangles—that favorite keepsake of obsessive beloveds and creepy stalkers throughout history. 1634 11th Ave., 206-322-7030. 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Mon.-Fri., noon-5 p.m. Sat.

SOIL Photographs of “perfomative” outdoor sculpture (a bunch of office chairs facing the ocean, for example) by Chris Engman, plus decorative, postmodern William Morris–esque curlicues and feathers in paint on wood by Nicholas Nyland. 112 Third Ave. S., 206-264-8061. Noon-5 p.m. Thurs.-Sun.

Solomon Fine Art Chris St. Pierre’s charcoal portraits all fixate on his friend, musician Bruce Fairweather. Plus, kitschy, staged photographs of blackly comic dioramas by Tom Gormally. 1215 First Ave., 206-297-1400. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon.-Sat.

Suyama Space Brian Murphy returns with more of his watercolor self-portraits of the sort that wowed the crowds at the old Esther-Claypool space a couple years back. Once again, facial features float off at odd angles, like unmoored islands of utter corruption, but this time the paintings are freakin’ HUGE. They’re, like, as tall as you standing on your own shoulders. 2324 Second Ave. 206-256-0809. 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. Mon.-Fri.

Western Bridge The second part of Henry Art Gallery’s ambitious show “Work of the Work” (much of which was mounted with the help of William and Ruth True’s Western Bridge collection) offers art that deals with perception and, lacking a better term, humanist religiosity. Kim Sooja’s jukeboxlike Mandala: Zone of Zero broadcasts a cacophony of chanting from Tibetans and Gregorian monks, while Steve McQueen’s gritty video of trip-hop singer Tricky is a claustrophobic immersion in a trance state. Anne Appleby’s color field paintings derived from the fleeting colors of Montana’s outdoors offer a palpable, quiet grace, while Carston Höller’s immersive merry-go-round of fluorescent light takes you to another plane of existence. 3412 Fourth Ave. S. 206-838-7444. Noon-6 p.m. Thurs.-Sat.

William Traver “Fresh Paint” is a group show of new work by Tom DeGroot, Geoff Garza, and others. 110 Union St., second floor, 206-587-6501. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon.-Fri.; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat.; noon-5 p.m. Sun.

Wright Exhibition Space Decorative eye candy for corporate lobbies or sincere experiments in color and texture? The color field painters were the aesthetic descendents of Pollock and Rothko, in a period when Warhol, Pop Art, and conceptual art were replacing high-minded abstraction. This show, curated by Virginia Wright, hopes to revive interest in color field painters Jules Olitski, Morris Louis, Helen Frankenthaler, and Kenneth Noland. Some of the pieces are magnificent in their lush disregard for anything but their own colors: Noland’s vast Vista surrounds the viewer with a bath of mauve, while Louis’ Mem is a subtle veil of browns. 407 Dexter Ave. N., 206- 622-1896. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursdays.