State of the Arts

7 thought-provoking art exhibits to get lost in this fall in Austin

For art-loving Austinites, November promises a vibrant mix of creativity. The GrayDuck Gallery showcases Cande Aguilar's vibrant "Barrio Pop" style, while the Flatbed Press presents Kyle Hawley's detailed exploration of motherhood.

Art aficionados can immerse themselves in the work of Def Jam Recordings' founding creative director, Cey Adams, in "Combinations" at West Chelsea Contemporary; and explore memory and objecthood in the two-artist "Echo" exhibition at Martha’s Contemporary. Ivester Contemporary also features Bradley Kerl’s celebration of painting in several styles in "To Speak Through Flowers."

Each gallery offers a unique artistic experience, making Austin a thriving hub of creative expression this month.

GrayDuck Gallery

Cande Aguilar: “Seagulls don’t sound like pigeons” — through November 19
A self-taught artist, Cande Aguilar invites viewers to a vibrant exploration of his unique "Barrio Pop" style in his latest exhibit. Aguilar's creations burst forth in an orchestrated frenzy of colors, harmoniously blending childlike whimsy with the edgy dynamism of graffiti. The richness of La Frontera's culture and the enduring legacy of border sign painting are embodied in the exhibit, which features many words — but almost none are readable.

West Chelsea Contemporary

Cey Adams: “Combinations” — through November 19
In "Combinations," founding creative director of Def Jam Recordings Cey Adams harmoniously melds the sleek geometry of famous logos with the dynamic intricacy of collages. Adams integrates his four-decade artistic journey with seven decades of pop culture iconography. The exhibition invites reflection on societal themes from the 60s to now, through the lens of Adams' mastery in graffiti, street art, and graphic design. Celebrating his transformative influence in the art and design industry, "Combinations" pays tribute to the craftsmanship of brands and questions our loyalty to them.

Davis Gallery

$\u200bYard Dog presents Jon Langford and Jim Sherraden: \u201cComplicated Characters: Collaborative Artwork.\u201d$

Jon Langford/Facebook

Yard Dog presents Jon Langford and Jim Sherraden: “Complicated Characters: Collaborative Artwork.” (Cropped to fit site)

Amy Banner Updegrove: “Echo” — through November 22
A native Texan with a rich background in design and media, Amy Banner Updegrove’s first solo exhibit skillfully employs grounding shapes, natural textures, and resonant colors to create repeating patterns that mirror both natural and man-made environments. Her pieces are a blend of woven fabrics, construction metals, reflective materials, and vintage leathers, subtly changed under various lighting conditions and viewpoints. Amy's work is a testament to her belief in the inherent beauty of subtle differences and the comfort found in the familiarity of echoes.

Flatbed Press

Kyle Hawley: “Unfolding the Rainbow of Motherhood” — through November 25
The creative force behind Letterpress Play, Kyle Hawley, unveils her unique exhibition, "Unfolding the Rainbow of Motherhood": a heartfelt expression of motherhood's intricate dimensions. Hawley exhibits her remarkable mono-printing prowess through seven life-sized prints, each a transformation of cloth utility accessories and garments. This display invites viewers to traverse the emotional kaleidoscope of motherhood, from joy and sorrow, to whimsy and purpose.

Ivester Contemporary

Bradley Kerl: “To Speak Through Flowers” — through November 25
This exhibition fuses personal experiences, visions, and memories cascading beyond a linear timeline, with imagery primarily drawn from Bradley Kerl's artist residency in France. However, Kerl emphasizes the universal nature of his art over its geographical origins or specific identities. His figures, scenes, and colors serve as tools to animate his canvases, celebrating the inherent beauty of painting.

Yard Dog

Jon Langford and Jim Sherraden: “Complicated Characters: Collaborative Artwork” — through November 30
Renowned for intertwining his artistic and musical pursuits, punk and alternative country musician Jon Langford partners with accomplished printmaker Jim Sherraden for a remarkable exhibition. Langford's passion for American honky tonk music and English folk music deeply influences and infuses his work. On the other hand, Sherraden, an active printmaker since 1980, has become synonymous with Hatch Show Print, the iconic letterpress poster and design shop based in Nashville. This unique exhibit showcases a harmonious blend of Sherraden's woodcut artwork with Langford's distinctive drawings.

Martha’s Contemporary

Calhan Hale and Wes Thompson’s: “Echo” — through December 3
Martha's Contemporary presents "Echo," a compelling two-person exhibition featuring the talents of artists Wes Thompson and Calhan Hale. Echo delves into the realms of memory, objecthood, and the melding of time and place. Thompson's striking three-dimensional creations harmoniously coexist with Hale's two-dimensional paintings, tied together by a recurring bright orange-red hue that subtly unifies the seemingly disparate exhibits. These opposing elements coalesce to create a more holistic artistic expression, offering viewers an intriguing exploration of the delicate balance between contrasting forces.

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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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