image: Keri Oldham – Deadly Night Fortress 47 x 43 in
Keri Oldham
Night Fortress
by Michael Francis
If you haven’t had the opportunity to see Keri Oldham’s show at Kirk Hopper yet, go do it. It has been extended through October 20th. These are amazing watercolors! I know you are thinking, “watercolors? really?” Yes! Watercolors! We see watercolor everywhere, but it is never like this; these are completely fresh and modern. Thoughtfully chosen imagery from the mythology of children’s books triggers all types of nostalgia. There are countless little places to let the mind wander through endlessly, just vague enough, that like reading a book, the work sets one on their own unique journey as you begin to fill in the blanks. The work becomes incredibly personal to each of us in completely different ways. I hope you can take the time to let it. This is what truly great art is capable of, something that is rare to come across. Again, I strongly suggest you stop whatever you are doing and go see this show, and perhaps even buy something, because greatness only comes along every so often.
Brian K. Jones
Spin, Burn, Repeat
by Michael Francis
This is, however, the last week to see these paintings by Brian K. Jones at Ro2 Art.
Do you ever find yourself at dinner with friends, and one of them is talking about something amazing they saw, or someone famous they met, and you are sitting there without the newest thing to throw in? No? Me either. In any case I suggest going to see this show before it’s too late.
Chuck (Brian K. Jones) and George (Brian K. Scott) paint, make sculpture, videos, and installations. They are a dynamic duo whose art legacy has already been written on the walls of the Dallas Museum of Art as part of our art history earmarking landmark local shows. I can only imagine their minds lost to the sins of tacky underground comics, and there may or not be a possible unhealthy addiction to … I am guessing either Chucky and/or Pee Wee Herman. Somehow, with these ingredients, fabulous insanely wacky art is made.
Jones’ work in this show is a series of circular paintings of Big Tex with his own face added in. They are depicted as if you are looking through a fish eye lens or some form of funhouse mirror. Flames moiré in the background as he spins round and round. The paintings are probably already all sold because he and George sell their art way too cheap to the famous crowd, as well as the people in this town who know to buy it up quickly. But now that you know to look for them, you should go see whatever they are up to in the future, because it is always different, always entertaining, and always completely and uniquely them.
Also, make a note to visit Chuck and George’s house next spring during the Oak Cliff Speed Bump artist studio tour. It is basically a small museum within itself. I can’t even begin to write about the parties they throw; it’s no wonder it has become one of the most infamous crash houses for touring bands. You will have one of those experiences you can brag about forever and ever, like how I still can’t shut up about meeting Larry Hagman a million years ago.