like a moth to flame

Austin gallery shares more dramatic work from downtown's newest major muralist

Manik Raj Nakra's newest mural will debut in December, with more to see at Martha's.

Art by Manik Raj Nakra, courtesy of Martha's

Artist Manik Raj Nakra is set to debut his new works on paper at Martha’s, a cornerstone of Austin's art scene, beginning December 1. This exhibition, which builds upon Nakra's highly acclaimed Kali Moth series, precedes and complements his mural unveiling this December, at the prominent downtown street corner that The Contemporary Austin occupies and decorates.

One of the upcoming exhibitions will feature new works on paper by Manik Raj Nakra, an artist celebrated for his shows and murals, which Austinites may recognize via digital agency Big Medium and The Line Hotel. The exhibition at Martha’s is an extension of his highly acclaimed Kali Moth series.

Art by Manik Raj Nakra, courtesy of Martha's

Raj Nakra's work immerses viewers in teeming jungles where four-headed leopards perch on old world ruins, and silver-toothed monkeys pray for salvation. His artistry embodies a unique blend of Indian iconography, colonial anachronisms, artifacts from early civilizations, and mythologies from ancient cultures.

The Kali Moth series blends depictions of moths with Kali Ma, the Hindu Goddess of death, time, and change. Nakra has woven these themes into his art, exploring ritual, lust, mortality, and ceremony in the marriage of these two mythologies.

His collage technique on handmade paper echoes the western artistic traditions of early xeroxed cut-and-paste style punk flyers and zines, as well as the South Asian tradition of woodblock printing. This reflects Nakra’s personal journey as a first-generation Indian American.

Art by Manik Raj Nakra, courtesy of Martha's

Martha’s, co-owned and operated by Meredith Williams and Ricky Morales since its establishment in 2018, has been a vibrant platform for underrepresented artists, nurturing both emerging talents and those in their later-in-life careers.

"We are so excited to end this year strong and look forward to the exciting exhibitions and fairs ahead," said Williams in a press release. "We are very thankful for the opportunity to showcase such talented artists, and Ricky and I feel very enthusiastic about what's in store for 2024 and the years to come."

More information about the gallery and Martha’s can be found at marthascontemporary.com. This exhibition will close on January 6.

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New

Historic Austin museum will close for more than a year for restoration

Photo courtesy of the City of Austin

The Elisabet Ney Museum will close at the end of 2024 and reopen in mid-2026.

Every building needs some maintenance here or there, and the historic Elisabet Ney Museum needs some extra-special care. Formerly the art studio and residence of its namesake, it's been standing since 1892. It'll spend 2025 in relative solitude, as it undergoes renovation for a year and a half with no visitors allowed.

The museum will close to the public December 30, 2024, and open again in the summer of 2026 if all goes according to plan, a news release from the City of Austin shares. It'll be a quiet period compared to the 21,000 people visiting from around the world each year.

According to a museum overview on the city's website, Elisabet Ney, a European portrait sculptor, bought the property and called her new studio Formosa. She worked on sculptures depicting important Texans like Stephen F. Austin and Sam Houston, and collected works of European contemporaries.

The building at 304 East 44th St. includes 3,700 square feet of museum space, which was converted by Ney's friends after her death in 1907. It retains its unique look that juxtaposes a Neo-Classical main studio from 1892 with a later addition from 1902 including a tower for her husband, Edmund, to write in. It is also on 2.5 acres of land, which has largely been restored to its natural state with native species.

A press release lists these tasks (verbatim) within the scope of the new work, referred to as the Capital Improvement Project (CIP):

Restoration of original exterior wood doors and windows
Upgrades and replacement of the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system
Replacement of the exhibit and general lighting systems
Repairs to the roof, masonry, plumbing, and interior finishes.

There will also be work to do outside of the building. Workers will replace the pedestrian bridge across Waller Creek, stabilize a 20,000-square-foot portion of the bank, and make the grounds more accessible by adding new pathways.

Funding comes from several sources, according to a release: "the 2012 Bond, Proposition 14, the Parkland Dedication Fund, the Historic Preservation Fund, Partners in Preservation through the National Trust, and contributions from the Friends of the Elisabet Ney Museum."

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