The back room of Scottsdale’s Lisa Sette Gallery has been transformed into something out of Raiders of the Lost Ark. Inky black walls create a mysterious cave-like effect, the perfect foil for the gleaming bronze sculptures sitting atop jet-black pedestals of multimedia artist Siri Devi Khandavilli. At first glance, they…
Sideshow performer Jeremy Kinison of Cut Throat Freak Show loves to shock and awe with his dangerous-looking antics. And he did plenty of both while living in the Valley for more than a decade, whether it was juggling chainsaws at local bars or leaping on broken glass on street corners…
Visiting Christopher Torrez’s Habitations can be a surreal experience. After participating in Mesa Contemporary Arts’ 33rd annual Contemporary Crafts exhibition last year, Torrez was awarded the Juror’s Choice Award, resulting in his current show. The gallery room in the back of Mesa Contemporary Arts is scattered with black boxes containing…
In April, ASU’s School of Geographical Sciences & Urban Planning will set the stage for local creatives, academics, and urban planners for a week of discussion and brainstorming. Phoenix Urban Design Week, from April 4 to 13, will include workshops, lectures, a film screening, a community gathering, and celebration of…
Given that its moniker evokes notions of automatons, androids, and cyborgs, one would think that two-year-old Jobot Coffee Shop already would’ve hosted a robot-themed art exhibition When we asked Joey Grether, who’s organizing a showcase of robot artwork at the Fifth Street establishment for March’s Third Friday, why it’s taken…
Downtown Phoenix’s Third Friday and Art Detour combined make a weekend full of local artwork. The 25-year-old event, officially organized by Artlink, will take over galleries and studios on Grand Avenue, Roosevelt Row, and 16th Street (and a few in between). Here’s a peek at our Field Guide for Art…
Since the onset of 2013, new things have been brewing at Bragg’s Pie Factory. After building owner Beatrice Moore announced last year that the gallery, formerly known for hosting large-scale shows in its cavernous space, would be divided into three smaller spaces, we have been eager to see what might…
Spring’s around the corner, which means there’s plenty of time to get creative (and finish a few projects) before the sun really comes out. Lucky you, there happen to be a handful of great opportunities for local artists to have their work displayed, purchased, and recognized. From design to public…
Christopher Coville’s most recent exhibition Works of Fire is explosive . . . or the result of an explosion at least. This series of photographs, on display at Bokeh Gallery through the end of the month, was created through a process of igniting gunpowder on silver gelatin paper. The images…
In February, we skipped our usual stop into Willo North Gallery on Seventh Avenue and McDowell Road to see the latest work curated by Robrt Pela (who, full disclosure, is also a contributor to Phoenix New Times). The exhibition titled “The Joe and Jan Show” is an homage to Sheriff…
Be it a First Friday or a Third Friday — we’re just excited about having an excuse (not that we need one) to see some great art exhibitions. Some are opening tonight Downtown, others have opened this month throughout metro Phoenix. But you better believe that we’re making the loop…
Blurring the lines between fine art, poetry and naughty comics, the Tempe Zine Con featured nearly 20 entries from local artists and writers. Down at the Bayou, a house in the “Hipster Compton” section of Tempe just west of the ASU campus, a small crowd of fashionable, attractive young artists…
Maya Lin made waves in 1981 when she won a public design competition for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at the ripe young age of 21. Since then, she has had an expansive career, winning countless awards in the art world for her work as both an artist and architect. This…
International creatives at Rapt Studio teamed up with Adobe and commissioned El Mac (who, full disclosure, we’ll always consider a local artist — no matter where he moves) to paint a large scale in Adobe’s main atrium in its Lehi, Utah campus. Adobe describes the mural, which features a young…
Clare Patey and Matthew Moore come from very different worlds, but very similar perspectives. Moore has made a name for himself in Phoenix with art projects that address the urbanization of farmland in Phoenix’s outskirts and the sustainability of urban life. Patey is an internationally renowned artist who activates vacant…
Texas-based artist Casey Cooper’s floating triangles may look like oversized floaties from a distance, but don’t be deceived — the pieces are actually made of inflated steel. Through a process of welding, heating, and compressing, Cooper creates sculptures that look like they could be made out of light rubber (though…
Graffiti writers across the country might not be thrilled to know their work ultimately ended up on popular art/flash sale site Fab.com, but fans of graffiti (and the increasing blur between graffiti and contemporary art) will likely jump at the chance to snatch up a copy of “History of American…
It’s about time Phoenix sees some serious mural love. In the interest of giving credit to their artists and because we’re losing track of the times we’ve said, “Whoa, when did that go up?”, we bring you Mural City, a series on the murals springing up around town — their…
It’s been a whirlwind three years for Lara Plecas. The Phoenix artist has created and showcased a number of works throughout Phoenix, but this month, she’ll close a chapter as a member of the Downtown collective gallery eye lounge. “Being a member of eye lounge has nurtured several relationships within…
If you’re a fan of modern architecture and design and are quick to the punch, you might be able to nab a ticket or two to the 9th annual Modern Phoenix Home Tour, slated for Sunday April 21. The event sells out every year, and with this year’s route of…
Safwat Saleem and Sebastien Millon aren’t huge believers in Valentine’s Day, but both will admit to believing in Love. “My thoughts on Valentine’s day: It’s on my list of least favorite holidays and is second only to perhaps Columbus day,” says Saleem. “This kind of sentiment will be obvious at…
When Japanese video game manufacturer Taito first released Double Dragon in the U.S. around 25 years ago, the legendary urban brawling game wound up one of the signature arcade titles of the ’80s with its pimp pixilated graphics and intense “beat ’em up” action. According to Ariel Bracamonte, however, the…
