ATX Art Beat • May / June 2021
As the summer crests and the pandemic wanes, there’s optimism in the air, and we find ourselves blooming with spring. With each new season comes the opportunity for new intentions, so I’m excited to kick off this monthly series to be your guide and ambassador to the Austin art scene.
Simply put, I believe artists are the greatest diplomats of our times.
Artists speak to hearts and minds, tapping into the universal language of emotion with color, form and line. They weave stories out of paper, plastic, and paint, taking us on journeys to worlds that we may never experience firsthand. They capture the most beautiful parts of the our world and society— identity, love, and belonging, but also tackle life’s greatest challenges — prejudice, fear, and war.
Contemporary artists grapple with the ebb and flow of the times, sourcing their materials from our collective consciousness, the world around them, and their own life experiences. Unconstrained by rules and proprieties, artists help us see differently to imagine another way, innovating visions for the future.
If we take the time to immerse ourselves in the world of artists — strolling through gardens, galleries, alleyways, and studios — we too might learn to see anew. I plan to highlight 3 shows of the moment in each edition, to introduce you to some of Austin’s most exceptional visual diplomats. Here’s who’s on tap for this month:
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Adrian Armstrong | @adrianarmstrong
with new eyes…, Art Galleries at Black Studies, Univ. of Texas
Through July 9, by appointment
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Adrian Armstrong is a virtuoso of contemporary portraiture, and his latest show at UT is nothing less than a triumph.
Entering the gallery, you immediately get the sense that there’s something sacred in the room. Adrian breathes life into his portraits with ballpoint pen, acrylic paint, oil pastels, and found fabric, building nuance layer by layer onto the canvas. There’s an intimacy about these figures, and you’ll find yourself entranced by their gazes.
His muses range from household names to everyday people, celebrities in Met Gala gowns mingle with next-door neighbors in hoodie sweatshirts. Unlike many of his contemporaries, Adrian doesn’t dedicate his work to Black history, but instead to Black present and future, using the power of image and representation to manifest a glorious vision ahead.
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Sarah Wilson | @atxessentials
Essentials, Public Installation, Various locations in Austin
Open to the public, 24/7
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When’s the last time you went out of your way to say thank you?
Even if it’s overdue, a show of gratitude can go a long way! For inspiration, look no further than Essentials, a larger-than-life series dedicated to Austin’s frontline women workers.
While cruising around Austin on my bike, I’ve been delighted to see a pair or goggles or a gloved hand as I come around the corner, and then find myself at the feet of one of these monumental wheat-pasted portraits.
When I think of a monument, they’re usually rather imposing, wrought of cold marble or steel. But these are different. The women are poised, with steady determination and kind eyes — I’m here to help. These real-life heroes are as reassuring as they are inspiring.
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Group Exhibition | @socomodern
Inaugural Show — Street to Studio, SoCo Modern Gallery
Tues — Sat, 10am-7pm
Learn more and plan your visit
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SoCo Modern opened with a bang this month, and is poised to become one of the buzziest art destinations in South Austin. Creatives emerging from hibernation were met with fire dancers, a smorgasbord of street art, and a hubbub of music and conversation.
Curated by entrepreneur-turned-collector Patrick Jones, the inaugural show is bustling with energy and showcases creativity in a wide array of different mediums — resin, recycled plastic, glass, Rubik’s cubes, and even NFTs! It’s a rare treat to see local stars Johnny Van Slyke Summers and Wiley Ross alongside the likes of Banksy, KAWS, Sandra Chevrier, & Keith Haring. For a dose of energy and inspiration, SoCo Modern is well worth the trip.
