Painter Robert Henri's realistic paintings were clearly at odds with the styles of Cubism, Surrealism and Dadaism that swept up European art circles in the 1920s, but instead of succumbing to whatever was in vogue, Henri applied his paint strokes to discuss what was happening in the world— call it “art journalism” if you will. Laguna Art Museum's exhibit “Robert Henri's California: Realism, Race and Region 1914-1925” focuses on Henri's paintings made while traversing through San Diego and Los Angeles that profile people of different races and social classes, never evaluated until now. Henri's work shines a light on the marginalized people of these booming cities, whilst giving contemporary viewers an idea of his commitment to detailing the world around him.
Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays-Sundays. Starts: Feb. 22. Continues through May 31, 2015
Aimee Murillo is calendar editor and frequently covers film and previously contributed to the OCW’s long-running fashion column, Trendzilla. Don’t ask her what her favorite movie is unless you want to hear her lengthy defense of Showgirls.