With so many things to do in San Francisco, it's easy to miss the many fantastic art exhibits and shows that pass through smaller galleries, as opposed to big museum shows. While it's nearly impossible for even the most ardent art lover to see it all, we've once again curated a collection of must see exhibits currently (or soon to be) gracing the walls of San Francisco's finest art spaces. Plan accordingly.
"Under the Skin: Remnants," Academy of Art University
Artist Jason Chi-Han Cheng presents a series of portraits of his grandfather as a means of connecting to Cheng's own personal and cultural heritage in his monthlong exhibit. Cheng's mesmerizing paintings combine his use of symbols with a variety of application techniques to create a narrative of his grandfather's life. January 5 - 30, 625 Gallery, 625 Sutter Street, SF.
"Gardenscapes: Photography by Sharon Wilcox," Manna Gallery/Oakland
"Gardenscapes" takes the concept of ordinary garden images and manipulates them to create surrealist works of art. Sharon Wilcox's use of color and classic imagery to transform the way we look at nature is seriously chic, a cross between Escher and Versace. Expect to become a fast fan—if you're not one already. January 6 - February 11, Manna Gallery, 473 25th Street, Oakland.
"Marvelous!" Sebastopol Center for the Arts
This show brings together a marvelous (!) collection of collage and assemblage work by national and international artists, including Koji Nagai from Japan, Jacques Muller from France, Mongobi Bibiane Mele from Italy, Deborah Oropallo from the USA, Deborah Wildenboer from South Africa, and many others. January 6 - February 12, Sebastopol Center for the Arts, 6780 Depot Street, Sebastopol.
"Jovi Schnell: Electric Space Gardeners," Gregory Lind Gallery
This exhibit of assembled works by artist Jovi Schnell include large-scale canvases and works on paper that present a color-filled futuristic botanical world where the codes of nature, humanity, and technology intersect and flow. (Yep, it sounds cool to us too.) Schnell's work is modern and familiar at the same time, and we want it on our walls. Through February 18, Gregory Lind Gallery, 49 Geary Street, 5th Floor, SF.
"Deborah Oropallo: Bell the Cat," Catherine Clark Gallery
How do we relate to "femininity" in our culture? That's the question Deborah Oropallo asks in her latest local exhibit. "Bell the Cat" draws inspiration from classic fairy tales from our childhoods to examine the concepts of gender and power in art. But fair warning, Oropallo might just change the way you look at Snow White forever. January 7 - February 18, Catherine Clark Gallery, 248 Utah Street, SF.
"Brigitte Carnochan: Love & Kisses, George," Themes + Projects
Who doesn't love reading other people's mail? This new series by Brigitte Carnochan was inspired by a set of real life love letters written between 1929-1932 by a young couple named Edna and George. Believe it or not, Carnochan found the letters in a shoebox. In this exhibit, the artist presents a series of photographs as her imagined version of Edna. The actual letter are used in mixed media pieces, also part of the exhibition. January 7 - February 25, Minnesota Street Project, 2291 Third Street, SF.
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