Premutations, Pretending and Press Works

Electric Works San Francisco
Katherine Westerhout Detroit
Holy cow, what a delightful place! Had my first visit on Friday (Jan 11) night; I loved it. This is the old Trillium Press (formerly in Brisbane). New digs, now located in the historic Buzzell Building on 8th Street, this gallery features editions, multiples and unique work by emerging, mid-career and established artists. They mount eight to ten shows a year exhibiting local, national and international artists.

For a great report on the goings on at Electric Works SF, check out the Stark Guide

Westerhout's photographs of abandoned, decrepit, foundering buildings are just breath taking; I felt like I could reach in to the photo and peel the paint off of long neglected walls. Her technique is quite accomplished and that eye. My Oh My!

Show closes Feb, 16 , 130 8th St, Electric Works

Haines Gallery
Dustin Yellin, Permutations
We stepped out of the elevator (I had a guest art snoop, the delightful Adele Shaw) and were sucked into Haines by these structures! I absolutely could not resist! Yellin draws on resin that he layers into a solid 3-D image. They prick your brain and then you just can't stop looking at, through, and around them.

Show closes Feb 11, 49 Geary St, Fifth Floor, Haines Gallery

Gallery 415
Claudio Roncoli, The Great Pretender
Here's a little insider tip, Roncoli's show, opening Feb 7, features an iconography steeped in graphic images, 50s advertising, and lots of repetition. He pokes fun at long ago cultural norms, flaunts the male gaze and has us smiling at all that youth and beauty. Hmmmm.

Anyway, Gallery 415 is bringing contemporary Latin American art to San Francisco in a big, big way. Stop by and encourage Christina Bosemark to keep it coming; she is adding wonderful diversity to our art scene.

Gallery 415, 49 Geary St, 4th Floor

A quick note about Miami Basel: The few dealers I chatted with (about MiamiBasel) Gregory Lind and Jack Fischer seemed pleased by their participation and eager to attend again. Jack Fischer Gallery with be at Red Dot, New York. Way to go home team! Keep carrying the "San Francisco loves Contemporary Art" message!

Patricia Sweetow Gallery
Michael Toenges-Painting, Peter Tollens-Painting, Bill Walton-Drawing, Sculpture
Don't go this gallery if you are hungary for oil paint. It will send you completely off the rails. I haven't seen paint this yummy in a long time, I'm talking about Michael Toenges' lush, rib-sticking, eye grabbing geographies. Mountains and peaks and valleys, and drips of glorious oil paint. That's all I can say.

Show closes Feb 23, Patricia Sweetow Gallery, 77 Geary St