Visual Arts

“Les valeurs personnelles” (“Personal Values”), from 1952, is a classic example of the René Magritte’s famed whimsy. (Courtesy SFMOMA, Charly Herscovici, Brussels/Artists Rights Society)

The many phases of René Magritte

Perennially popular for his surrealist works featuring apples, bowler hats and bizarre…

“Les valeurs personnelles” (“Personal Values”), from 1952, is a classic example of the René Magritte’s famed whimsy. (Courtesy SFMOMA, Charly Herscovici, Brussels/Artists Rights Society)
David Park’s “Portrait of Lydia Sewing” (1955), left, and Milton Avery’s “Reader with Plant” (1963) are at Hackett Mill. (Courtesy Hackett Mill)

Mid-century masters Park, Avery paint humanity

David Park and Milton Avery -- who bucked the trend and painted…

David Park’s “Portrait of Lydia Sewing” (1955), left, and Milton Avery’s “Reader with Plant” (1963) are at Hackett Mill. (Courtesy Hackett Mill)
Fernando Reyes' 1995 “Self Portrait”on view at the Mexican Museum is a charcoal drawing on gray paper. (Courtesy Fernando Reyes)

‘Artist’s Evolution’ showcases Fernando Reyes’ breadth

Local artist Fernando Reyes -- a banker turned painter and printmaker --…

Fernando Reyes' 1995 “Self Portrait”on view at the Mexican Museum is a charcoal drawing on gray paper. (Courtesy Fernando Reyes)
The late Joan Mankin (pictured in a detail of the portrait) is featured in "Ghost Light" at Z Space. (Courtesy David Allen)

David Allen’s ‘Ghost Light’ photos illuminate Bay Area actors

For his exhibit “Ghost Light,” performing arts photographer David Allen went old-school:…

The late Joan Mankin (pictured in a detail of the portrait) is featured in "Ghost Light" at Z Space. (Courtesy David Allen)
Homestead Grays catcher Josh Gibson, called “the black Babe Ruth,” is pictured in 1942 at Forbes Field, Pittsburgh in a photo by Charles “Teenie” Harris. (Courtesy Carnegie Museum of Art)

‘Game of Color’ spotlights black baseball greats

Sports and civil rights come together in a fun and fan-friendly exhibition…

Homestead Grays catcher Josh Gibson, called “the black Babe Ruth,” is pictured in 1942 at Forbes Field, Pittsburgh in a photo by Charles “Teenie” Harris. (Courtesy Carnegie Museum of Art)
The Miles Brothers’ “A Trip Down Market Street” was filmed in 1906. (Courtesy Rick Prelinger)

Wild, wonderful ‘Way Bay’ at BAMPFA puts local art in spotlight

“Way Bay,” an expansive new exhibition at Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific…

The Miles Brothers’ “A Trip Down Market Street” was filmed in 1906. (Courtesy Rick Prelinger)
Casanova: The Seduction of Europe, opening Feb. 10 at the Legion of Honor , showcases the life and times of the Italian author and chameleonic libertine Giacomo Casanova. (Courtesy Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco)

Winter 2018 Arts Preview: Museums and Galleries

Museum and gallery exhibitions offer insight into past, present and future. Casanova:…

Casanova: The Seduction of Europe, opening Feb. 10 at the Legion of Honor , showcases the life and times of the Italian author and chameleonic libertine Giacomo Casanova. (Courtesy Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco)
Textile company Finlayson has a line of linens and other home items featuring artwork by Tom of Finland. (Courtesy Amy Mokk)

Finnish design showcased under the dome

High design from Finland has come to San Francisco. Apparel, beauty products…

Textile company Finlayson has a line of linens and other home items featuring artwork by Tom of Finland. (Courtesy Amy Mokk)
Robert Rauschenberg’s “Monogram,” an assemblage showcasing a taxidermied Angora goat, is on view at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. (Courtesy Robert Rauschenberg Foundation)

SFMOMA Rauschenberg retrospective reveals wry radical

One of the most significant artists of the 20th century’s second half,…

Robert Rauschenberg’s “Monogram,” an assemblage showcasing a taxidermied Angora goat, is on view at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. (Courtesy Robert Rauschenberg Foundation)
Summer Mei-Ling Lee’s 2017 “Requiem” is an installation commissioned by the Chinese Culture Center. (Courtesy Chinese Culture Center of San Francisco)

Chinese Culture Center’s ‘Requiem’ solemnly reflects on Chinese diaspora

Regarded as “permanent aliens” under the 1882-approved Chinese Exclusion Act, Chinese immigrants…

Summer Mei-Ling Lee’s 2017 “Requiem” is an installation commissioned by the Chinese Culture Center. (Courtesy Chinese Culture Center of San Francisco)
Designer Jin Teok, pictured with one of her pieces, attended the opening of “Couture Korea” at the Asian Art Museum. (Courtesy Janos Gereben)

K fashion, then and now

Asian Art Museum Director Jay Xu, enthusiastic about the “vibrant colors” in…

Designer Jin Teok, pictured with one of her pieces, attended the opening of “Couture Korea” at the Asian Art Museum. (Courtesy Janos Gereben)
A reproduction of the large 1902 “Beethoven Frieze” (detail: “The Arts, Paradise Choir, and The Embrace” is pictured) is on view in “Klimt and Rodin: An Artistic Encounter” at the Legion of Honor. (Courtesy Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco)

Meeting of 20th century masters: Klimt paintings, Rodin sculptures

An exhibition of major works by early-modern-age Austrian painter Gustav Klimt --…

A reproduction of the large 1902 “Beethoven Frieze” (detail: “The Arts, Paradise Choir, and The Embrace” is pictured) is on view in “Klimt and Rodin: An Artistic Encounter” at the Legion of Honor. (Courtesy Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco)
Dozens of ancient artifacts, functional and decorative, are on view in “Teotihuacan: City of Water, City of Fire” through Feb. 11. (Courtesy Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco)

Archaeological wonders in ‘Teotihuacan: City of Water, City of Fire’

Art and artifacts excavated from Teotihuacan -- Mexico’s most significant archaeological site…

Dozens of ancient artifacts, functional and decorative, are on view in “Teotihuacan: City of Water, City of Fire” through Feb. 11. (Courtesy Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco)
Walker Evans’ moving depression era images -- including “Floyd and Lucille Burroughs, Hale County, Alabama, 1936” -- are among the works on view in the huge San Francisco Museum of Modern Art retrospective. (Courtesy J. Paul Getty Museum/Walker Evans Archive)

‘Walker Evans’ at SFMOMA focuses on photographer’s love of the vernacular

Known for iconic images of the Great Depression and for finding poetry…

Walker Evans’ moving depression era images -- including “Floyd and Lucille Burroughs, Hale County, Alabama, 1936” -- are among the works on view in the huge San Francisco Museum of Modern Art retrospective. (Courtesy J. Paul Getty Museum/Walker Evans Archive)
The Asian Art Museum’s expansion project includes a new pavilion and terrace. (Rendering courtesy wHY/ Asian Art Museum)

Asian Art Museum announces $38 million renovation

The Asian Art Museum has big plans for the 21st century, including…

The Asian Art Museum’s expansion project includes a new pavilion and terrace. (Rendering courtesy wHY/ Asian Art Museum)
Evocative murals by Julie Mehretu have been recently installed in SFMOMA’s atrium. (Courtesy Julie Mehretu/

Julie Mehretu murals enliven SFMOMA atrium

New York-based artist Julie Mehretu has a massive new art work gracing…

Evocative murals by Julie Mehretu have been recently installed in SFMOMA’s atrium. (Courtesy Julie Mehretu/
The word jumble magnetic wall is among the fun attractions at the new Museum of Ice Cream in San Francisco. (Jessica Christian/S.F. Examiner)

Sprinkles, rock candy and a cherry on top at MOIC

Cowboy Cookie Dough Chris welcomed visitors Thursday at the press preview of…

The word jumble magnetic wall is among the fun attractions at the new Museum of Ice Cream in San Francisco. (Jessica Christian/S.F. Examiner)
“The Maori Portraits: Gottfried Lindauer’s New Zealand” recently opened at the de Young with special guests including visitors from New Zealand and Bay Area residents of Maori ancestry. (Courtesy Janos Gereben)

‘Maori Portraits’ grace de Young

Museum exhibit previews are rarely emotional, but a recent one for the…

“The Maori Portraits: Gottfried Lindauer’s New Zealand” recently opened at the de Young with special guests including visitors from New Zealand and Bay Area residents of Maori ancestry. (Courtesy Janos Gereben)
“Requiem,” a commissioned installation by Summer Mei Ling Lee honoring a charity serving Chinese immigrants in the early 20th century, opens in October at the Chinese Culture Center. (Courtesy photo)

Fall 2017 Arts Preview: Museums and Galleries

Museums showcase brilliant works of art spanning cultures and centuries. OPENING Jewish…

“Requiem,” a commissioned installation by Summer Mei Ling Lee honoring a charity serving Chinese immigrants in the early 20th century, opens in October at the Chinese Culture Center. (Courtesy photo)
An anonymous artist known as BiP has created the eye-catching mural “Figurine” on the wall of the Alise hotel in The City, and is in the process of creating more massive artworks.(Courtesy photo)

Big BiP murals bloom around town

“Figurine,” a huge mural of human-like golden flowers painted on the outside…

An anonymous artist known as BiP has created the eye-catching mural “Figurine” on the wall of the Alise hotel in The City, and is in the process of creating more massive artworks.(Courtesy photo)