ATX Art Beat • Jun / July 2021
And just like that — thunderous May downpours gave way to blazing June afternoons. Cancelled lake days are now a distant memory, the heat has us flocking to pools and springs and waterholes, our ears perking up at the sound of a paleta cart passing by.
We’re collectively beginning to rediscover familiar places — as theaters, concert halls, and museums swing their doors back open. Even a trip to H-E-B feels like an occasion, strolling down every aisle just to enjoy the A/C, watching kids giggle as they toss goldfish and otter pops into mom’s cart.
As the mercury soars well into the 90’s, I’m happy to report that the art scene is heating up as well — I’ve got some fantastic picks for y’all this month:
Black Art WKND | Get tickets
June 19th — 20th, East Austin
Saturday 11am-10pm, Sunday 10am-4pm
Open to the public | More Info & Tickets
Brought to you by Tobar Takeover and _OF COLOR, the first annual Black Art WKND promises a jam-packed lineup of musical and visual performances, installations, artist talks, live painting, vendors and more. What better way to commemorate Juneteenth than to celebrate and support the creative excellence of Black artists right here in Austin?
The event is by and for the Black and Brown community, but welcome to all in the spirit of peace, love and respect. The event will feature curated works from leading contemporary artists, including: Moyo, Sam Barks, Dave McClinton, sadé Lawson, Steve Hatchett, Rex Sterling Hamilton, Hailey Gearo, ROSHI K, Curtis Marshman, Johari Palacio, Chris Tobar, Tumi, Tia Boyd, DeLoné Osby, Jenkins2d, Ryan Runcie, Tyson Davis and Jaoudi. Some of my favorites are the groovy graphic portraits by Sadé Lawson, neosurrealist murals by Rex Sterling Hamilton, and striking digital collages by Dave McClinton, but I can’t wait to check out the rest.
Black Art WKND will also feature live performances by Riders Against the Storm, Dj Kay Cali, “Nahmido,” ChiClopz, WillToThe, The Bored Enthusiast, Blakchyl, Yanna, and Eli Arbor.
Learn more and get your tickets on Eventbrite — hope to see you there!
“Balm” Bradley Kerl | @bradleykerl
Through June 26, Ivester Contemporary
As summer gets into full swing, we’ll have plenty of opportunities to reconnect with friends and family. For many of us, it’s the first reunion in a while. Whether you’re going out for ice cream, soaking up the sunshine at Zilker Park, or enjoying the views at Mount Bonnell, there’s certainly joy and levity to these moments, but I’ve noticed a bit of tension around things that go unsaid. We feel like we need to keep the mood light, but the last year was really tough on multiple levels. To be honest, I think we’re all still thawing out from last year’s deep freeze.
Bradley Kerl’s latest body of work, Balm, takes us on a stroll through lush gardens to soothe our weary souls. His calming, oxygenated scenes, created in 2020 and 2021, show us the healing side of solitude, small moments where he was able to discover beauty and meaning to continue on. The vibrant oils on canvas are at once expansive and intimate, still life scenes from a single point of view.
One of the most romantic paintings in the series, a flourish of fuchsia carnations and pastel peonies, is titled Watching My Garden Grow All By Myself.
Thinking back on the last year, in moments of solitude, did we still take time to appreciate the little things?
I think it’s important to reflect on the rituals that kept us going through the last year, and how we can be more intentional about that even now. When we live in the present moment, we’ll start to notice the simple moments around us, where the ordinary becomes extraordinary.
