The Art of Discovery
Spring Gallery Night in Fort Worth means making the rounds of favorite galleries, museums and even off-the-beaten path venues in a single evening. It’s impossible to take in all exhibitions, but these four shows typify the range of work to be enjoyed. Check with your favorite Fort Worth gallery to learn their plans for March 28 or go to fwada.com for more information.
Photo by David Wharton
Michael Bane
Michael Bane is a master of illusion. His trompe l’oeil style is as fascinating as it is disarming, because what you think is there, isn’t. Control any desire to confirm by touch that those metal rods are really tactile or to experience the gritty feel of their rust — the entire piece is a painting. Bane’s masterful technique includes using a single-hair brush to create the convincing illusion of tiny rivets in the steel plates. Just thinking about his multidimensional creations, that are in fact flat images, boggles our mind. Subjects vary, but the magic is the same. Bane’s new exhibit pays homage to Picasso and his “Woman” paintings. What appears to be an assemblage of metal pieces beautifully projects a feeling of strength. Check out his latest work 6-9 p.m. at Lisa McConnell Design Studio. Bane also has a show at Rebecca Low Sculpture Gallery, where his trompe l’oeil sculptures — all made of wood — are painted to look like an old Slinky box and playing cards, among other items.
Lisa McConnell Design Studio, 3913 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth, 817-732-4440, lisamcconnell.com
Rebecca Low Sculpture Gallery, 7608 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth, 817-244-1151, rebeccalow.com
Fort Works Art
The Cultural District gallery never disappoints on gallery night thanks to thought-provoking exhibitions and stellar people watching. This spring, “Prelude to A Dream” showcases 20-plus contemporary artists of national and international note, each of whom will have one piece on exhibit. Gallery owner Lauren Saba Childs’ goal is to present a wide range of artists that many would not have a chance to see, because they typically do not exhibit in Fort Worth. She calls many of these creatives her heroes. Included in the show are two works on loan from private collectors: a piece by Kehinde Wiley, noted for his portrait of President Barack Obama, and another by Larry Bell, a noted name in the Minimalist Movement.
2100 Montgomery Ave., Fort Worth, 817-759-9475, fortworksart.com
Brooklyn-based painter Tim Okamura is known for his portraits of strong women. Images courtesy of Fort Works Art
Michelle Benoit
Rhode Island artist Michelle Benoit’s mixed-media sculptures combine layers of hand-cut, reclaimed Lucite and premium plywood. The translucent color comes from acrylic paint radiating through the transparent Plexiglas. Using different color combinations, she illustrates isolated moments in time, space and place. In certain light, the pieces seem to glow. See her show, “Two Forms – Open and Closed,” at William Campbell Contemporary Art.
4935 Byers Ave., Fort Worth, 817-737-9566, williamcampbellcontemporaryart.com
Darcie Book
Austin artist/sculptor Darcie Book uses acrylic as her medium, but not in the usual way. She turns one-dimensional paint into two- and three-dimensional sculptures. Many of her works look like draped cloth; others are mounted on canvas. Book has exhibited at Fort Works Art as well as the Baltimore Museum of Art, and the city of Austin commissioned an outdoor piece called Wavelength. See her work at the Fort Worth Community Arts Center, with a closing reception 6-9 p.m. on gallery night. She’ll also be giving an Artist Talk at 4:30 p.m. that day.
Fort Worth Community Arts Center, 1300 Gendy St., 817-738-1938, fwcac.org
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