Creativity is all about exploring, but it's important to remember where we came from. This August, lots of artists are thinking about the people and places they came from. Darcie Book & Vy Ngo pose questions at ICOSA Collective about identity when physical barriers are removed. Anne Bobraff-Hajal & Craig Campbell consider how politics play into identities, especially when power goes unchecked; and Yuliya Lanina explores a foreign casualty to the same political imbalance. This August, ask yourself where you see yourself in art.

Art for the People Gallery

"Vibrance of Summer" — Now through August 11
Viewers can expect an eclectic mix of mediums and styles, from vivid abstract paintings to stunning photography. Many emerging local artists are showcased alongside established talents, providing a well-rounded look at Austin's thriving creative community. The artwork on display evokes the feeling of summer through bold colors, energetic brushstrokes, and inspiring scenes of nature.

The Old Bakery & Emporium

Anne Bobraff-Hajal & Craig Campbell: "Empire's Echo" — Now through August 12
"Empire's Echo" sets intimate scenes of daily life against the backdrop of Russia's autocratic center of power. Through paintings, photographs, and mixed media installations, the artists reflect on the triumphs and tragedies of Russia's imperial history, from serfdom to the Soviet era. Campbell's multimedia installation "Agit Kino" focuses on the Indigenous peoples of Siberia and their encounters with early 20th century Bolshevik propaganda efforts. Bobroff-Hajal's icon-inspired works contain hundreds of portraits narrated by whimsical "godparent" figures that bring to life centuries of Russian aristocracy.

Mexic-Arte Museum

"Expresiones de México, Arte de la Gente / Art of the People" — Now through August 20
Through assembled paintings, prints, and folk art, "Expresiones Vibrantes" provides a glimpse into Mexican traditions old and new. This impressive collection brings together works by master artists from regions across Mexico who carry on the traditional practices and techniques handed down over generations. A single defining vision of Mexican art is elusive; The vast diversity of Mexican artists produces a vibrant array of styles, subjects, and media. "Expresiones" celebrates this variety and creativity that many see as emblematic of Mexico’s culture.

Link & Pin

Helen Buck, Stephen Pruitt & Rama Tiru: "Summer Exposure: Session 4" — Now through August 26
"Summer Exposure: Session 4" highlights the latest work of three talented local artists, each with their own unique style and perspective. Helen Buck's varied body of work includes landscapes, figures, still lifes, animals, and more in a range of mediums. Rama Tiru's intuitive process results in dreamlike images that incorporate augmented reality elements. Stephen Pruitt brings over 30 years of photographic and performing arts experience to his current work as a full-time fine artist.

Cloud Tree Studios & Gallery

"Cloud Tree August Summer Salon" — Now through August 31
Viewers can expect an eclectic mix of mediums and styles, from the vibrant abstract paintings of Meena Mitai to Alyssa Dawn's nature-inspired canvases. Watercolorist Deb Soromenho will also be featured with her distinctive mixed media pieces. With limited curation, the Cloud Tree Summer Salon offers visitors a chance to discover fresh perspectives from Austin's burgeoning art scene.

ICOSA Collective

Darcie Book & Vy Ngo: "Borderless" — August 17 through September 16
"Borderless" offers viewers the opportunity to immerse themselves in an abstract landscape and discover the surprising connections that emerge through world-building. Book and Ngo "remove barriers separating humans from land and humans from each other." Book uses commonplace materials like acrylic house paint and metal leaf to push the limits of their intended use, while Ngo draws inspiration from her life as a Vietnamese-American, physician, mother, and activist to create works that prompt introspection about identity, culture, political issues, memories, and the human experience.

Yuliya Lanina: "Mother/Land" — August 24th through November 31
New York-based interdisciplinary artist Yuliya Lanina unveils a poignant new body of work titled "Mother/Land" that reflects on the trauma and grief caused by the war in Ukraine. Through animation, sculpture, and installation, Lanina offers an intimate look into the pain and loss she has experienced from afar as the conflict continues in her homeland. As a secular Jew born in Moscow to parents of Ukrainian descent, Lanina's complex relationship to the war runs deep. In her characteristically poetic visual language, she unpacks themes of displacement, maternal bonds, and the scars of violence.

  

Photo courtesy of Art for the People Gallery

Art for the People Gallery presents "Vibrance of Summer." Pictured: “Montañas” by Laura Thomas.