Continental Drift: The four corners of the globe come together this summer at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Representing the Latin American continent, “Modern and Contemporary Masterworks from Malba - Fundación Costantini” showcases the splendors of the region — riches from the only museum in South America to collect in this depth. Frida and Diego are both present, as well as some surprises, including a new discovery to American audiences, Argentine painter/sculptor Antonio Berni, whose 3-D creatures made from trash are both repelling and arresting. We were also taken by Berni’s startling proto-Pop canvas from 1962, which portrays a Hollywood type seductively brandishing an American auto in her oversized, manicured hand (through August 5).
Paris, Berlin, Santa Fe: Heading to the City of Lights? Catch Joe Havel’s solo “History, Hope Desire,” at Galerie Gabrielle Maubrie in Paris, including a new series of cast-book sculptures plus his signature shirt-collar-label assemblages that bear poetic text (through July 10) ... If you’re considering a jaunt to Documenta 13 in Kassel, Germany, let Looking at Art’s Victoria and Marshal Lightman be your guides. This ultimate art excursion departs Houston Sunday, July 29, returning Tuesday, August 7; smoldering art capital Berlin is also part of the itinerary (info lookatart@aol.com) ... If New Mexico is your destination, a must-see is Wade Wilson’s new gallery, just unveiled in the historic Santa Fe arts district at 409 Canyon Road. The gallerist devoted to the monochrome and concrete abstraction will be dual-citied from now on, with his main HQ remaining his Houston space at 4411 Montrose ... Finally, wrap the summer with an in-town trip to Spring Street Studios, where Yvonamor Palix Fine Arts curates “Fresh,” mixing up international masters Sandy Skoglund and Richard Tuttle with those close at hand such as PaperCity’s Celeste Tamariello (through September, openings yvonamorpalixart.com).
It’s a Really Big Show: It wouldn’t be July without The Big Show, Lawndale Art Center’s annual brash and lively open call. Juried by Brooklyn-based curator Marco Antonini, this democratic roundup is heading towards its 30th year (July 13 – August 11).
Just In: Scottish-born painter Katrina Howarth — whose sunny still lifes, interiors and landscapes remind us of the 1910s- and 1920s-era Bloomsbury Group — has opened an eponymous gallery in Galveston. Stop by this weekends-only space in the historic Strand District and peruse her delightful abstracted oils. Howarth is a grad of the prestigious Glasgow School of Art (grand opening, Saturday, July 14, 215 Tremont, 713.550.6431; thehowarthgallery.com).
IMAGE: Antonio Berni’s La gran tentación, or La gran ilusión, 1962, at MFAH. Photo collection Malba – Fundación Costantini, Buenos Aires