2013 Retrospective

Looking back at 2013 is a representation of what I saw or experienced that I thought was worthy of another mention.  Of course this is not intended to be a top 10 list or even representative of all the great exhibitions that took place in North Texas during the year.  Met lots of wonderful people and had a chance to help work on an important exhibition for one of my best friends.  I still found myself focusing on a few galleries where I have found, in most cases, consistency in quality and friendly people.   As a gallery owner, if you want people to visit your gallery you have to offer challenging, fun, thought-provoking art without being cute and most importantly you have to be able to communicate with those that show an interest and taking valuable time to visit your gallery.  It does no good if you can't even say hello.

Finally started going back to the DMA on a regular basis and they have not disappointed either.  Stupid - in the early 1990's I visited the museum at least 50 times a year and I was a paying member too.   When they started charging admission I bet I didn't average one visit a year until they dropped the admission fee.

Congratulations to the Dallas Museum of Art for three great exhibitions!
 

Jim Hodges: Give More Than You Take  Photograph: DMA

Concentrations 56: Stephen Lapthisophon                                                  

Cindy Sherman: Untitled Film Still #21 (1978). Photograph: MoMA, NY

 

A trip to Houston to see the Forrest Bess Retrospective at The Menil Collection.  Visited lots of galleries during this trip and for the first time Hiram Butler Gallery where Mark Fox (I think I have that correct) and Tony Fehr had solo exhibitions.

Forrest Bess: Seeing Things Invisible

It was nice to catch-up with Robyn O'Neil at Talley Dunn Gallery for her solo exhibition We Spoke Mirage.  Wonderful new work  that was somewhat reminiscent of the Forrest Bess exhibition at The Menil

 

 

To kickoff the fall exhibitions Oliver Francis Gallery started the year on a high note

Anthony Keith Giannini Crossing The Line

 

Absolutely one of my favorite artists and has been since the mid 90's is John Wilcox.  When I was at VAL doing exhibitions and artist's talks John showed up and made my year...I think that was around 2008.  The much anticipated exhibition of John's work since his passing at his former home/studio hosted by Barry Whistler Gallery

 

Michael Bise exhibition Life or Death at The MAC blew me away.  I want to see more! and more! and more!  Michael Bise - Can I please visit next time I am in Houston?

My good friend Brad Tucker was everywhere in 2013.  I think I saw every exhibition in North Texas.
   

Circuit 12

El Centro College

Old Jail Art Center

Congratulations to Michael Wynne on his "Life's Short Play Naked" retrospective exhibition at Ware:Wolf Haus.   Thanks Michael for being a great friend and allowing me to help on this exhibition.  Thank God 2013 is almost over.  My friend 2014 will be a BIG year!  Looking forward to seeing exhibitions from NYC to Houston with you!

 

Stephen Lapthisophon continued his positive influence on North Texas...

MyMyMisfire 

 Deep Ellum

Richland College

 

Conduit Gallery

Dallas Museum of Art

 

Some individual works that I saw in 2013 that will definitely keep you wondering and then some are just wonderful.  They all resonated one way or another.

Lana Paninchul at Oliver Francis Gallery

David Aylesworth at Holly Johnson Gallery 

Vincent Falsetta at The MAC  -  Vincent!!! 

Celia Eberle at CentralTrak - so nice to see some older work by one of the most important Texas artists working today.

 

 Suzan Frecon at the Birmingham Museum of Art.  I have fallen for Suzan Frecon works on paper.  I want want want to live with her work!
 

Waddy Armstrong at Liliana Bloch Gallery - Absolutely stunning!  Congratulations Liliana on your new adventure.  I am looking forward to seeing what you bring to the gallery scene.

 

Congratulations to a fairly new friend to me

Pedro Vélez for being selected to the 2014 Whitney Biennial.  Pedro, I will be at the Whitney to celebrate this important event with you!  I can't wait to visit and see the studio too. 

Courtesy of Pedro Velez.

 

Congratulations everyone! Happy New Year! Looking forward to a great 2014!



Creative Differences

We checked out the exhibitions at Public Trust and Lilliana Bloch Galleries then headed over to 500X to see "Creative Differences: 35 Years at 500X".   



Creative Differences: 35 Years at 500X celebrates the 35th anniversary of 500X, one of the oldest artist-run galleries in Texas and a noted Dallas art space. This exhibition features a variety of media, including painting, photography, installation, assemblage, video, drawing, and performance by a selection of thirty former members spanning from the founding group of artists in the mid 1970s to the most recent alumni.

 

Randall Garrett (member 1992-96). Eating, Drinking 2013 and Last Dance 2013

Celia Eberle (member 1986-91). Foreign Policy, 2013.

 

Anthony Wright (member 1991).  Into Drawing, 2012

Greg Metz (member 1982-83).  Cathedral, 2013.

Tom Orr (member 1975-79). Aug 6th 1962 - Aug 6th 1950, 2011

Vance Wingate (member 1989-91). Fleshy Gems(#10-#14), 2012

Simeen Farhat (member 2003-05).  Speeding Ticket, 2013

Matt Clark (member 2008-12).  Jaune Prince Banane, 2013 

Paul Booker (member 1999-2001). Pink and Gold Hexagons 1, 2013

Lesli Robertson (member 2006-09). Vestige, 2013 (note: 2 of the 3 panels)

500X
The exhibition is on view from December 14 to January 5, 2014.  Not much time to catch this exhibition.

Gideon Bok and Alison V. Smith

It's December and several galleries and art spaces are opening new exhibitions.  We did Saturday afternoon (December 14) visits instead of the openings this time. 

First stop - Barry Whistler to see Gideon Bok and Alison V. Smith solo exhibitions.  Barry was having a second-chance opening since the first opening was during the ice event we had in Dallas.  However, Barry mentioned that 80 people showed up for the opening.

Gideon Bok, Negrophillia, 2008

Gideon Bok, Reckon Ball, 2007 and King of Nails, 2007-10

Gideon Bok, Freddy Lafage, 2013 and Rockland Night Triptych, 2008-10

 

 

Alison V. Smith photo installation.

http://www.barrywhistlergallery.com/home

September 14th

Visited as many galleries as I could on the 2nd weekend of openings here in Dallas.

First stop was Oliver Francis Gallery where my expectations were blown out of the water.  A fascinating exhibition of Anthony Keith Giannini titled Crossing the Line.  Kevin is starting another season off with a lead off homerun.



 2nd stop was 500X for the Members Exhibition.   Clayton Hurt (Lucky Dog) just continues to be a favorite.  

 To Barry Whistler Gallery to see Linnea Glatt's latest work in Current.

 

Next was Kirk Hopper to see the highly anticipated Jim McGee exhibition of Shop Construction and Drawings from the Hill.  I suppose my expectations were so high that this exhibition was just a thud.

Up Central to Talley Dunn to see two exhibitions.  Some New Paintings by Susie Rosmarin and a group exhibition titled Within & Beyond.   Since we visited most of the galleries outside the opening times we had a chance to meet and have a chat with Susie.  What a wonderful down to earth person, my goodness.

 

A quick call to Wanda Dye to check if it was okay to be late visitors.  Back down Central south of downtown to visit RE gallery just after 5pm.  My favorite group of works are by Sam Schonzeit and Gary Farrelly collaboration in Going Postal. 

 

Last stop, the opening of William Bennie's work at Public Trust and Waddy Armstrong's work at Liliana Bloch Gallery.  I was thrilled to see William Bennie's exhibition Terra Incognita.  I have been following his work on Instagram for a year or two and happy to see the work in person.

Waddy Armstrong Re-Invisioning the Sublime

All in all it was a great day for seeing art at some of the best galleries in Dallas.  All of these galleries show quality art and you should take time to visit. 

Collage: Now Then & Again

Made it to Barry Whistler Gallery on the last day of the Collage exhibition.  So much to see in this exhibition.  It was nice to see work by Doug MacWithey again, Mark Williams is always pushing the grid in new and exciting ways, Margaret Meehan, see post below, just can't get enough of her work and new to me Dana Harper's work so nice.

Left to Right:
Terrell James, FS 545, 2011, collage on paper, 20x26
Lawrence Lee, Star No. 6, 2012-13, graphite, ink and tea stains on paper, 22 1/4 x 30
John Wilcox, Feedbag Blood, 2001, paper, dye, glue and string, 22 x 3 1/2

Barry Whistler Gallery
2909-B Canton Street
Dallas, TX 75226
214.939.0242    
info@barrywhistlergallery.com