Visual Arts Search
Centuries of Progress
Nov. 23-Feb. 3Visual Arts
Centuries of Progress examines World's Fairs from post-Civil War to the Reagen era. It's not a display of the quirky, futuristic inventions that lined their halls, or not only that. This exhibit looks at the Fairs themselves, as places where individuals went to look down the pipeline, as commercial opportunities, and as entertaining spectacles all around. $11
503.222.1741Brad Nack: 100% Reindeer Art Show
Fri., Nov. 20, 2-5 p.m.Visual Arts
On Dasher, on Dancer, on SW Ankeny. Brad Nack, painter and former manager and producer of Toad the Wet Sprocket (strange, strange days the ’90s were) brings his collection of pure, unadulterated reindeer portraits to Portland. This is a mid-way stop on a 25-city tour that stretches from New York to Portland to London. Expect many more than eight reindeer—Nack has spent 12 years on the creatures—each one colorful, surreal, and in need of a name. (Note: On November 20th, the show moves to Oblation Stationary, 516 NW 12th Ave.)
Munk One: Dream Beautiful and Unusual
Through Nov. 21Visual Arts
Having trained formally in California art school and medievally as an apprentice to a master in silk-screen and graphic merchandise-making, Munk One arrives at Upper Playground with a full creative arsenal, some of which glows in the dark. He has designed clothing for Upper Playground and tattoos for Red Hot Chili Peppers, among others. But do they glow in the dark? No! Artist reception First Thursday, October 1st, 6-9:30 pm, featuring beverages from Widmer Brothers Brewing Company (Um. Beer. Right?).
Chris Crites: America
Through Nov. 22Visual Arts
If Seattle artist Chris Chrites' new exhibit America had a sensationalist headline, it would be: Sexy Pin-up Found With Guns, Ex-Cons. Chrites knows popular imagery, and paints a collection of vintage pictures of three of its centerpieces—firearms, criminals, and naked ladies—onto brown paper bags. Try doing that with a reusable tote.
Transference
Tue., Nov. 24, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.Visual Arts
An astonishing glass art exhibition. It will be sweet.
free
Street Wise
Tuesdays-Thursdays, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Continues through Nov. 26Visual Arts
Chris Haberman, whose last solo show was an illustrated companion to Alice in Wonderland, switches gears for this exhibit in conjunction with local literary festival Wordstock. He teamed up homeless and transitional youth involved with p:ear artistic programs to apply an exponential amount of imagination to the topic of Portland's wordy culture.
Love What You Do
Through Nov. 27Visual Arts
These graphic designers love what they do. They love it so much they want to share it with you, snuggle in you a quilt of screen-printed arms, or something to that effect. You can nestle in the snuggie of their enthusiasm at this show by PSU student group, Friends of Graphic Design.
May Juliette Barruel: And Now We Do What We Do
Through Nov. 27Visual Arts
French expatriate May Juliette Barruel presents an autobiographically inspired collection of photographs and textile- and print-based work. She has been a Portlander since 2000, and cut her teeth in the local art scene through exhibitions and curating Stumptown's downtown gallery since 2007.
Negative Bulge!
Through Nov. 27, 6 p.m.Visual Arts
The zine Negative Bulge!, is a riff off a drawing jam session last July between Luke Ramsey, Blaise Larmee, Kinoko, Sean Christensen, and Theo Ellsworth. You can check it out, check them out, and peruse the newest zine offerings from the Islands Fold art collective at the November First Thursday launch and art party.
Outlook: PSU Art Graduates 2005-2009
Through Nov. 27Visual Arts
PSU grooms its recent graduates for the external art world with this juried show, spotlighting their work. James Yood, established critic and professor at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, curates the local menage.
Antler Necklace
Through Nov. 28Visual Arts
A group show examining artificial reproductions of nature, how they both cloud a human's relationship to his surroundings and, on the other had, use representation to re-connect him to it. The show is curated by Amber Vilas and features work from Antoine Catala, Christie Gray, Valerie Hegarty, Jessica Labatte, Nichole van Beek, and Erika Somogyi.
Arnold J. Kemp: The Quiet Dust, Ladies and Gentlemen
Through Nov. 28Visual Arts
Channeling Emily Dickinson, Arnold Kemp puts on a show of elegant and darkly humorous photographs and paintings, featuring gothy accents like black glitter and doll's eyes on linen. This is Kemp's first solo show in Portland since PICA's TBA: 2007.
Be a FAN; Buy a FAN
Through Nov. 28Visual Arts
A benefit for the Oregon College of Art and Craft. Faculty, staff, and past Artists-in Residence of the college reflect their style in hand-designed white paper fans. The pleated products are displayed behind glass, as part of the PDX Window Project. You can buy one to support OCAC, or just because you're a fan of fans.
Heidi Krikpatrick: Gray Area
Through Nov. 28Visual Arts
Found object art, from an artist who peruses toy bins, old bookshelves, and wherever they keep figurative photographs. Artist reception First Friday, November 6th, 5-8 pm.
New Works from China & Jim Riswold: Art People and a Cow
Through Nov. 28Visual Arts
Jim Riswold harpoons modern icons of the art world—Damien Hirst, Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, etc.—while simultaneously biting the hand that feeds, producing work that is "beautifully sleek and distinctively commercial." The speed of his production (this is his sixth solo show since 2005), as well as his willingness to offend, are propelled by his chronic leukemia. Meanwhile, in a companion exhibit having little to do with Riswold, but lots to do with PAM's current China Design Now exhibit, Augen Gallery DeSoto presents a group show of new works from Chinese artists. The collection ruminates on China's overhaul in the last few decades, and the struggle for personal identity.
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