Art Previews
Robert Highsmith
Robert Highsmith’s earth-toned watercolor landscapes capture the expansiveness of the American Southwest with an almost photorealistic clarity. In his New Work exhibit at Marigold Arts (424 Canyon, 505-982-4142, marigoldarts.com), February 5–March 18, reception February 5, 5–7 pm, the Las Cruces-based artist gets the shadows and light just right, whether he’s painting New Mexico’s canyonlands under the warm autumn sun or a lonely high-plains railroad track beneath a big, snow-filled sky.—Dianna Delling
Bill Heckel, Tent Rocks, black and white
Group Show: Variations in Black and White
New Concept Gallery, 610 Canyon
505-795-7570, newconceptgallery.com
March 12–April 9, reception March 12, 5–7 pm
With works from each of New Concept’s twelve artists, this exhibit of black-and-white art—with a few muted colors sneaking in—is pleasant and well-rounded, if not particularly groundbreaking. Photography is well represented: In Bill Heckel’s black-and-white photographs of Tent Rocks, nude figures arched across the rocks highlight the sensuality in an otherworldly landscape, while Woody Galloway’s photos capture the beauty of wild horses in a snowy northern New Mexico winter. Abstract and realistic paintings and bronze and scrap-metal sculpture are also featured, with Deborah Martin’s bronze, “Walk Like a Lamb”—an upright sheep dancing joyously on one leg—adding a touch of whimsy to the mix.—DD
Sloane Bibb, The Perfect Dress, mixed media, 27 x 30"
Sloane Bibb: Heart of Dixie
LaKind Fine Art, 662 Canyon
505-982-3221, lakindfineart.com
Feb 9–23, reception Feb 12, 5–7:30 pm
Bibb hails from Alabama, hence the exhibition’s title. But his textural, mixed-media pieces—acrylic, paper, beeswax, metal, tar, and other found objects on wood—reflect a vision that’s more surreal than Southern. Like the 20th-century assemblage artist Joseph Cornell, Bibb fancies birds and bird imagery in many of his pieces. He also focuses on guitars and cakes, the latter appearing as layered, white-frosted confections topped with pink and red roses—wedding cakes that in their sweetness manage to mock the idea of marital bliss. There’s a cynicism behind Bibb’s whimsical creations, but their prettiness makes the commentary on modern life go down easy. —DD
Mark Castator, Cascade, steel, 91 x 12 x 12", and Spheres, steel, 22" and 13" (in diameter)
Mark Castator: Steel Poetic
Winterowd Fine Art, 701 Canyon
505-992-8878, fineartsantafe.com
March 19–31, reception March 19, 5–7 pm
With their cool geometric patterns, Castator’s polished steel sculptures have a kind of 1960s, Austin Powers vibe. The Boulder-based artist constructs his seven-foot-tall cylinders and squat, two-foot-high spheres by stacking and welding dozens of square and rectangular steel pieces, creating (as he has said) form through repetition. His pieces are chaotic while organized, airy while substantial, and feats of engineering while aesthetically intriguing. They make you think—but more than anything, they’re fun to look at. Showing concurrently at Winterowd: paintings by J.D. Wellborn.—DD
