Different Brushstrokes
Looks like itNll be a busy summer inside the air-conditioned confines of OC art museums and galleries
There wonNt be any rest—or vacation—for the wicked this summer, with everything from Rembrandt to World of Warcraft putting in appearances at Orange County museums and galleries, with women artists or female-centric themes making an especially strong showing. LetNs do this alphabetically by venue, shall we?
From June 4-30, JoAnne Artman Gallery presents “Equilibrium: International Artist Rimi Yang and Armenian Artist Martiros Adalian.” ThereNs a definite focus on Taoism in YangNs works, as power, isolation, black and white all seem to stare back at you at the same time. Adalian works in a variety of mediums, and whether its ink on paper or acrylic on canvas, thereNs an unsettling darkness to his portraits of women. For the whole month of July, “Collaboration: Summer Collection 2009”showcases the work of Canadian artist Patti Didiomete and local artists Sandy Clark, James Verbicky and Bill Agee. Throughout August, “Still Lives” features artists Laura Ross-Paul and Regina Jacobson. 326 N. Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, (949) 510-5481; www.joanneartmangallery.com.
At the Sarah Bain Gallery, an exhibition of painter Pamela WilsonNs work titled ”Awkward Soliloquies” runs through June 27. Based on the website, itNs mostly portraits of young girls and beautiful women, the women all curves and smudged eyeliner, a mixtape of Bonnie Parker and Stevie Nicks holding shotguns or baby dolls in birdcages, a bottle of booze nearby. From July through August, itNs “Summer Stars,” a group showing from seven artists. 184 Center St. Promenade, Anaheim, (714) 758-0545; www.sarahbaingallery.com.
Peter Blake Gallery has new work by Alex Couwenberg and Donnie Molls through June 25 and a summer group show—“Supermarket”—from July 2 to Aug. 27.435 Ocean Ave., Laguna Beach, (949) 376-9994; www.peterblakegallery.com.
On July 11, Bowers Museum of Cultural Art hosts “Sordid and Sacred: The Beggars in RembrandtNs Etchings: Selections from the John Villarino Collection,” a timely exhibition of almost 40 of RembrandtNs etchings of the poor. Considering his own financial and familial misfortunes near the end of his life, the etchings almost seem like prophetic self-portraits. 2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana, (714) 567-3600; www.bowers.org.
The Box GalleryNs exhibition of Santa Ana-based artist Joseph HawaNs mixed media, “Inside the White Cube,” runs until July 3. This is his white-on-white series, so if youNve ever seen the play Art by Yasmina Reza, you can imagine the discussion after you and a couple of friends attend the show. 765 Saint Clair, Ste. B, Costa Mesa, (714) 724-4633; www.boxboxbox.com.
Through Aug. 22, Crussell Fine Arts is filled to bursting with the group show “Nclat,” featuring 22 artists and 130 pieces of art. ItNs at their private Eichler Gallery in Orange, and thereNs a bit of mystery and adventure involved if you want to attend: You have to e-mail and ask for a personal invitation to even find out where itNs located. Curator Jeffrey Crussell has an even-cooler show opening Aug. 1 at Orange County Center for Contemporary Art that promises to be very Lars Von Trier and Jørgen LethNs The Five Obstructions. Visit their website (www.crussell.com/art_directions01.html) to get the lowdown on “Directions,” and INll see you at the show. OCCCA, 117 N. Sycamore St., Santa Ana, (714) 667-1517; www.occca.org.
The Diana Ferrone Gallery in Laguna Beach presents “The Scene,” a group show by contemporary artists of landscapes featuring a variety of interpretations of the genre. Through July 31. 1999 S. Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, (949) 697-6920; www.DianaFerrone.com.
In July, Santa AnaNs Go Rilla! Gallery is hosting a “huge artistic tribute to Morrissey and the Smiths.” I asked for more information, but the folks at Go were mum. Given MorrisseyNs popularity in the Latino community, expect this to be one of the better-attended shows in local memory. 3013 N. Main St., Santa Ana, (714) 547-5457; gorillagozilla.com.
Four U.K. female artists are represented in Hibbleton GalleryNs June 12-July 5 group show “Golden Hands.” July 10 to July 26 brings another group show, featuring fantasy themes and storybook-style illustrations. INm a fan of photographer Steve Elkins and will be dropping some of my own money on as many of his pictures as I can afford when the gallery gives him a solo exhibition July 31 to Aug. 2 to help raise money for the completion of his debut feature-length documentary, scheduled for release this fall. Last but not least, the gallery teams up with ISM and is soliciting submissions to celebrate the passing of Polaroid photography, “Instant Gratification: A Polaroid Party” from Aug. 7 to 30. 112 W. Wilshire Ave., Fullerton, (714) 441-2857; www.hibbleton.com.
From June 26 to July 19, Huntington Beach Art Center (HBAC) says itNs having the largest non-juried group exhibition in Southern California. To ensure that happening, theyNre soliciting artwork for “Centered on the Center” until “the galleries, the store and other public places at HBAC are filled,” so hand-carry in your work on June 12 and pay the tiny fee (going to a good cause). A curated trio of site-responsive installations called “land sea air” is scheduled for Aug. 1 to Sept. 6. 538 Main St., Huntington Beach, (714) 374-1650.
Geeks will be taken seriously (for four months, at least), as curator Grace Kook-Anderson explores the art and history of World of Warcraft June 14 through Oct. 4 in “WoW: Emergent Media Phenomenon” at Laguna Art Museum. The exhibition will include fan art, guest lecturers and work inspired by the Irvine-based Blizzard EntertainmentNs MMORPG. 307 Cliff Dr., Laguna Beach, (949) 494-8971; www.lagunaartmuseum.org.
The indefatigable Light Gallery burns the candle at both ends with three shows in three months: “Art N Sole 2,” a custom-shoe art show opening on June 13; a record fair and music-themed group show starting on July 25; and “The Garage,” a custom-car, hot rod-themed group show beginning on Aug. 29. 440 E. 17th St., Costa Mesa, ?(714) 642-7899; www.thelightgalleries.com; www.myspace.com/thelightgallery.
Orange County Museum of Art runs “Illumination: The Paintings of Georgia ONKeeffe, Agnes Pelton, Agnes Martin and Florence Miller Pierce” through Sept. 6. I havenNt seen any work by the other three artists, but I certainly dig ONKeefeNs paintings of vagina flowers. 850 San Clemente Dr., Newport Beach, (949) 759-1122; www.ocma.net.
Through Aug. 31, Rohrer Fine ArtNs group show “Highlights!”features a panoply of acquisitions, from French painters and Taiwanese photographers to American contemporary and Latin American surrealism, culminating in an opening of Latino art later this summer. 346 N. Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, (949) 494-8200; www.rohrerfineart.com.
The works of R. Kenton Nelson are usually tightly framed portraits of isolated Americana. No Norman Rockwell here, thereNs a stiffness that hints at Edward Hopper and WPA art projects. An exhibition of his mosaic paintings runs July 11 to Aug. 24 at SCAPE (Southern California Art Projects and Exhibitions). The pixellation of the imagery treats the formal rigidity of his characters as if they belong in a church, giving them a touch of the divine. 2859 E. Coast Hwy., Corona del Mar, (949) 723-3406; www.scapesite.com.
Dave Barton has written for the OC Weekly for over twenty years, the last eight as their lead art critic. He has interviewed artists from punk rock photographer Edward Colver to monologist Mike Daisey, playwright Joe Penhall to culture jammer Ron English.
CBD exceeded my expectations in every way thanks https://www.cornbreadhemp.com/collections/full-spectrum-cbd-oil . I’ve struggled with insomnia on years, and after trying CBD pro the from the word go mores, I lastly practised a full nightfall of relaxing sleep. It was like a force had been lifted off the mark my shoulders. The calming effects were indulgent despite it profound, allowing me to inclination free logically without sympathies woozy the next morning. I also noticed a reduction in my daytime anxiety, which was an unexpected but allowed bonus. The tactfulness was a bit rough, but nothing intolerable. Comprehensive, CBD has been a game-changer in compensation my nap and uneasiness issues, and I’m thankful to arrange discovered its benefits.