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    Art over activism

    Women power: Texas Gallery's 40 sends a welcome jolt through the Houston art scene

    Susie Kalil
    Aug 7, 2010 | 2:04 am
    Clare Rojas, "Untitled" (Red Fox and Blue Deer), 2007

    Has the art of the moment finally achieved gender equality? The 40 women selected by Ian Glennie and Fredericka Hunter to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Texas Gallery reflect the tenor of American art right now, which they see as ripe for emotional and intimate engagement. Just don’t go to the gallery looking for the kind of activist art that roared through every sector of 1980s and early 1990s culture.

     

    None of these artists have made work evocative of the wisecracking protest group the Guerilla Girls, or like the one Barbara Kruger did that state flat out, “Your body is a battleground.” At Texas Gallery, there’s no political axe to grind — few seem concerned about their place in the social order. Rather, they’re simply making art and focusing on the basics: Material, color, forma and craft.

     

    Glennie and Hunter have made some inspired choices in the selection and the installation. They pick uncharacteristic works by artists we know well, and turn up major statements by the ones we don’t. Overall, 40 is a welcome jolt to the Houston art scene in scope, ambition and the range of things it gives you to think about. It doesn’t account for everything, but also doesn’t make what’s missing feel ignored.

     

    Just a glance through the show, which fills three galleries, in addition to office and storage spaces, tells you this stuff is loaded with heady ideas — and potential spin-off shows — eager to be teased out. I’m sure many will skate through with a dispassionate once-over and head for fresh air. But then you would miss a rare opportunity to think about the possibilities of painting, in addition to the whispered promise of and enduring and devoted support of art in Houston.

     

    It’s the first time that works by 40 women — young to older, as well as deceased artists, and drawn from coast to coast — have ever been gathered together in this town. Walking through Texas Gallery’s front doors is like being immersed in a surge of cool green associated with plant life, forests and rain, with freshness and renewal.

     
       
    •  Pat Steir’s large painting "Lama Ghost (2006)" continues to sustain the abstractly generated imagery which has preoccupied her for years — that is, the evocation of falling water. The loaded strokes at the top of the canvas allowing the thinned paint to drip down and merge with splashes flung upward from below are hypnotic gestures, as is her use of luminous gold and verdant hues.
    •  
    • Conversely, "Orange Paint Chip (2009)" by Houston artist Rachel Hecker takes its cue almost straight from the manufacturer. It’s interesting to note how much Hecker’s canvases and supports are treated like objects — take away the words “Ripe Melon” and “Wrong” and what remains is straight acrylic painting having to do with color and paint chip — in this case, the “wrong” paint chip. The matter-of-fact quality is tempered by a knowing irony that embodies all the tough-minded, callous charm of our era.
    •  
    • Among the gems exhibited in the main gallery Dona Nelson’s two-sided work "Okey Dokey (2008)" formed by better-thick paint, twisted cloth and intricately knitted fields that join the transcendental with the visceral, the pure and the slapstick. The backside of the freestanding work — half staccato, half headlong rush — looks like dribbled, spattered and soggy toilet paper, knotty strands that crisscross the stained field.
    •  
    • Nearby hangs Melissa Meyer’s "Klotho (2008)" in which looping and meandering strokes of diluted oils are applied with the finesse of a calligrapher. Smaller areas of squiggles and blobs pulse across the surface in cobalt blues, buttery yellows and rosy tints, seeping through to create an effect of luminous netting.
    •  
    • A major painting by the underrated artist Elizabeth Murray shows what happens when the flashy, cartoonish quality of Pop art is combined with the material rigor of Minimalist abstraction. In "Cry Baby (2000)," the bulbous swelling shapes of interlocking canvases look like giant jig-saw puzzles, wiggling heads, body organs or thought balloons. Both humorous and quirky, Murray’s taut composition consists of high-keyed hues that flaunt her skill as a colorist as they give abstraction the giddy energy of a circus
    •  
     

    More highlights:

     
       
    • Gladys Nilsson’s strange narrative painting of morphing animal/bird/human figures with gangly, rubbery limbs engaged in highly erotic activities. The “Hairy Who” and Chicago Imagist pioneer has lost none of her penchant for outrageous distortions, nor her sense of irony.
    •  
    • By the same token, the three small gouache and latex paintings on wood panel by Clare Rojas evoke strange, otherworldly realms through a delicate balance of abstraction and figuration. A blue deer rears its front legs over a red fox, which sits up on its haunches in obedience. A man clothed in black with prismatic face crouches on a barren landscape and reaches toward a seal-like creature whose head barely skims the surface of a vast red sea or desert. The flat areas of color and emblematic images slip-slide between high art and pop culture — from West Coast modernism, Native American and Quaker art, to Russian nesting dolls, quilting, cartooning and skater art.
    •  
     

    I’m just scratching the surface of this show, which seems to offer up something revelatory around every corner.

     
       
    • Be sure to look at Jane Freilicher’s "Harmonic Convergence (2008)," in which a vase of flowers seemingly floats out over the city. Her palette takes on talcum powder hues, edges are softened; the canvas not only depicts but radiates light.
    •  
    • Maureen Gallace’s oil painting of white-washed New England houses and airy environs is both dreamy and reductivist.
    •  
    • Also noteworthy is "Brown Horse and Mountain (1989)," a tightly ordered landscape with broad sweeping brushstrokes and bold chromatic planes by the Icelandic painter Louisa Matthiasdottir, who established herself on the New York art scene in the 1940s.
    •  
    • Don’t miss the quirky, iconoclastic portrait "Summer Solstice (1982)" by Joan Brown, who was involved with at least two significant art movements — Bay Area Figuratives and Bad Art, which challenged abstract styles to reinstate storytelling.
    •  
    • Lynda Benglis, a pioneer of Post-Minimalism, offers up "Turbinellidae (1980)," a wall mounted sculpture of aluminum mesh pressed into accordion folds and covered with colorful beads and string — the configuration recalls a ritualistic headdress, even a Mardi Gras costume from the artist’s Louisiana heritage.
    •  
    • Childhood experiences from that same Southern region also inform the work of Shawne Major, although separated by nearly a generation from Benglis. "L’Argent (2008)," is a treasure trove of plastic toys, feathers, silk ribbons, buttons, bracelets, badges, charms and netting woven together to create a magical tapestry of fragments and memories.
    •  
     

    What unites these 40 artists is not only their interest in occupying the territories at painting’s limits, but the way they assert their physical presence on these fringes. In and out of visibility over the years, all of these women are powerful examples for artists at this free-for-all moment, reminding us that aesthetic impurity isn’t just cathartic, it’s also a lot of fun.

    Lynda Benglis, "Turbinellidae," 1980

     
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    Here are the 15 best things to do in Houston this 4th of July weekend

    Craig D. Lindsey
    Jul 2, 2025 | 6:30 pm
    Shell Freedom Over Texas
    Courtesy of Shell Freedom Over Texas
    The city has revealed the performers for its July 4 celebration.

    The 4th of July lands on a Friday this year, which means things will get especially patriotic this weekend.

    We’ve already listed all the fireworks celebrations and restaurant specials that’ll be popping off on Friday. (Don’t forget about the screenings of Independence Day at River Oaks Theatre, Rooftop Cinema Club and Marriott Marquis Houston.) But there are also other must-see events happening this weekend, including a LEGO convention, the second anniversary of a Third Ward eatery, the return of a Stanley Kubrick classic, and an outlaw music festival featuring Willie Freakin’ Nelson and Bob Freakin’ Dylan!

    Thursday, July 3

    Brick Rodeo
    Brick Rodeo is a family-friendly event that features hundreds of custom models and displays made from LEGO bricks. Creators from Texas and around the country will be available to talk about their creations. Fans who want to display their own creations, attend workshops, and participate in all the activities should purchase an All Access Pass. Families and individuals who want to spend a day viewing incredible custom creations, talking with builders, and shopping with vendors should purchase a public exhibition ticket. 9 am (8:30 am Friday-Sunday).

    City Place presents Young Audiences of Houston: Painting with Watercolor Pencils Art Workshop
    This free art workshop, hosted by Young Audiences of Houston teaching artist Judy Malone Stein, transforms City Place’s central waterfront plaza into a classical art studio with easels and other essential supplies. Participants are introduced to the medium of watercolor pencils and will learn basic color theory which includes the color wheel and primary and secondary colors, along with complimentary colors. They will also focus on creating compositions, using traditional visions (portraits, landscapes, still life) as their subject matter. 9:30 am.

    Improv Houston presents Dustin Ross
    Dustin Ross is a NAACP Image Award-winning host, writer, and producer. Fans of The Read podcast may know him as a longtime guest/friend to the show. These days, you can hear him on two pods: The Friend Zone, with co-hosts Hey Fran Hey and Assante; and Holding Court, with Eboni K. Williams. He has also hosted seasons of Bet on Black, REVOLT TV’s competition series, Bet On Black. As an on-air contributor, Ross has appeared on multiple platforms, including MTV, BET, Bravo TV, HBO, FUSE TV, GLAAD, Fox Soul, and more. 7:30 pm.

    Friday, July 4

    Freedom Over Texas
    With an average of 50,000 people in attendance, Freedom Over Texas has become Houston’s annual, signature July 4th celebration. The live, televised event will feature local, regional, and national entertainment, headlined by Ashley McBryde and Lee Brice, and will be capped off with a musically choreographed, “Texas-sized” fireworks finale. It also features a unique non-profit component, as the event will donate a percentage of food and beverage sales to the Houston Food Bank. 4 pm.

    Ensemble Theatre presents The Tap Dance Kid
    Over at The Ensemble Theatre, The Tap Dance Kid is about a 10-year-old African-American kid named Willie who doesn’t want to be a lawyer like his well-to-do strict father, and dreams of becoming a dancer like his talented Uncle Dipsey, an aspiring Broadway choreographer. The final production in the theater’s 2024-25 season, this musical is filled with imaginations of stardom that keep us tapping along. Through Sunday, July 27. 7:30 pm (2 and 7:30 pm Saturday; 3 pm Sunday).

    Dan Electro’s presents The Broken Spokes & Oliver Penn 4th of July Party
    Freedom, music, and a 4th of July Party will be going down at Dan Electros. The show will feature a performance from traditional Texas country band The Broken Spokes, a well-seasoned outfit that’s put in the time honing their craft in honky tonks across Texas,. Also performing will be Rhode Island-born, Houston-based country singer Oliver Penn, who has shared the stage with Charley Crockett, Shakey Graves, Randall King, The California Honeydrops, and Shinyribs. 9 pm.

    Alamo Drafthouse LaCenterra presents Graveyard Shift: Attack the Block
    Guy Fawkes Night in London is a time for fireworks, fooling around, and an occasional surprise or two. But when vicious extraterrestrials decide to crash the hellraisers’ holiday, a time for making merry quickly turns scary. Writer-director Joe Cornish also ensures it’s frequently humorous as well. This frisky, vigorous 2011 spoof — propelled by an insistent electronic score by Steven Price & Basement Jaxx and a star-making lead turn from John Boyega — shows a similar sensibility in its breezy blending of goofiness and gruesomeness. 10 pm.

    Saturday, July 5

    Rado Market 2 Year Anniversary Celebration
    Chef Chris Williams’ market and cafe at the historic Eldorado Ballroom will celebrate its two-year anniversary with a celebration that’s free and open to the public. The event will include complimentary champagne during the first hour, food specials from chef Jaden Gaines, and live music from a DJ for the first two hours. Guests can also browse and shop from a curated lineup of local vendors offering various products for sale, including Posh Body, Ambrosia Nectar, 77 Stash, and Juxx. Patrons can also enter two raffles featuring Radiant Aura samples and other giveaways. Noon.


      
     
     
     
     
     
     
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    Winnie’s presents Labubu Face Tattoo Korean Corn Dog Karaoke Party
    Never has an event’s name been a more complete description of what’s happening at the Midtown sandwich shop/cocktail bar on Saturday. Artists from Rodeo Tiger will be tattooing Labubu, the must-have accessory that feels destined to become the Beanie Babies of 2025 ($25 minimum, $50 for both sides, and $100 for full face custom work). While you wait, snack on a Korean corn dog created by chef Jennifer Hoffman. Karaoke starts at 8 pm. 1 pm.

    The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston presents Barry Lyndon
    This weekend, catch the 50th anniversary screening (in glorious 35mm!) of Stanley Kubrick’s lavish, Oscar-winning 1975 adaptation of William Makepeace Thackeray’s 18th-century novel. Forced to leave Ireland after killing an English officer in a duel, young Redmond Barry (Ryan O’Neal) seeks his fortune as a soldier in Prussia, as a spy, and then as a gambler living among the elite of Europe. He changes his name and marries an aristocrat (Marisa Berenson) for her wealth, but will he finally gain the acceptance he seeks? 5 pm (2 pm Sunday).

    Kings Harbor Waterfront Village presents “Fireworks on the Pier”
    Looking for a post-4th of July throwdown this weekend? Kings Harbor Waterfront Village in Kingwood will have its annual “Fireworks on the Pier” celebration, a patriotic evening of family fun, live entertainment and a spectacular fireworks display. Festivities include family-friendly games like Connect Four, a balloon artist, face painting and bubble stations for kids. Local restaurants will be serving up a variety of delicious food and drink options throughout the evening. A dazzling fireworks show over the pier will begin around 10 pm. 7 pm.

    Movies at Miller: Wicked
    We know there is a lot of y’all who can’t wait for Wicked: For Good to drop in multiplexes this winter. Before that happens, head over to Miller Outdoor Theatre and revisit the Oscar-winning Broadway musical adaptation that set it all off. In the magical Land of Oz, Wicked covers the first act, following Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), the future Wicked Witch of the West, and her friendship with Galinda (Ariana Grande), the future Glinda the Good Witch. The audience is encouraged to come in costume. 8:30 pm.

    Sunday, July 6

    Eldorado Ballroom presents Ball N’ Parlay
    Dubbed “A 1st Sunday Vibeout,” Ball N’ Parlay is a vibrant, Third Ward day party that’s going to be held outside the legendary Eldorado Ballroom. They’re really hyping this one up, calling it “the Sunday you’ve been waiting for, where music, community, and culture meet.” We’re just psyched that some of our favorite DJs will be doing live sets, including DJ Elevated, Maiya Papaya, Alist, and DJ Bloom. 3 pm.

    Outlaw Music Festival
    If you grew up going to Cactus Music and picking up the latest issue of No Depression, looking for the latest in outlaw country releases to scoop up, a fest full of iconic, guitar-strumming banditos will be making a stop at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion this weekend. The 10th anniversary tour of the Outlaw Music Festival will feature an unparalleled lineup of legends and superstars, including Willie Nelson & Family, Bob Dylan, The Avett Brothers, The Mavericks, and Tami Neilson. 4:05 pm.

    CONCACAF Gold Cup Final
    As of this writing, we don’t know who will be playing in the final match of the soccer championship known as the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup, going down this weekend at NRG Stadium. What we do now is that the winners will be determined on Wednesday night, when the semifinal matchups – the USMNT vs. Guatemala and Mexico vs. Honduras – will take place. This also marks the first time the Gold Cup Final will be held in the state of Texas. 6 pm.

    Freedom Over Texas
      
    Courtesy of Freedom Over Texas
    The Freedom Over Texas celebration takes place on the Fourth of July.
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