Wolfgang Tillmans' "Stripped" at Pulliam Deffenbaugh

Pulliam Deffenbaugh is putting a new spin on one of the tiredest group show concepts of all time, the Still Life. Now don't get me wrong, I'm a massive Willem Kalf fan and I'm completely excited about this more adventurous take featuring a very nice Wolfgang Tillmans along with an eclectic mix of Andy Warhol, Uta Barth, Thomas K. Conway, Morris Graves, Richard Hoyen , Isaac Layman, Laura Letinsky, McDermott & McGough, James Martin, Jeffry Mitchell, Vik Muniz, Raymond Pettibon, David Rosenak and Jay Steensma. OK now that is one wild still life lineup.
Opening Reception 6-8pm April. 5-28
Pulliam Deffenbaugh Gallery 929 NW Flanders Tel. 503.228.6665



Gregory Grenon's "Then You Turn Around" at Laura Russo Gallery

Gregory Grenon gets a lot of silly guff for being successful, attitudinal and edgy (not exactly a crime for an artist eh?). I think his best work speaks volumes about the awkward even "rough around the edges" moments between individuals. If anyone wonders where Chris Johanson fits into Portland's long standing figurative tradition just look at Grenon and Robert Colescott. Also showing is, Jack Portland. Frankly, he is lucky to be alive after a serious health crisis in Italy (he had great influence on younger artists like Tom Cramer and Jacqueline Ehlis and it's good to see him this month).
Opening Reception 6-9pm April 5-28
Laura Russo Gallery 805 NW 21st 503.225.2754



In the long-standing Portland tradition of massive rambling group shows that resemble refugee camps, the collective Kitchen Sink will take over 5,000 square feet of office space in Chinatown for a show called "Step Into My Office." The Mercury, ever one to celebrate softened ambitions in a different kind of office culture did a feature here.
Opening Reception 7-11pm April 5-8 $2-$5
Kitchen Sink 520 NW 5th (3rd floor above Butters Gallery)




Amanda Barr's The Powers at Motel

For years, Motel Gallery has consistently been one of the best presenters of tight exhibitions in Portland and this group show "White Light" features a colorful lineup whose hues should metaphorically combine to make some sort white laser light of truth? Hey this planet could use an art death ray designed to protect us from nasty comets, asteroids and whatnot! Show includes: Amanda Barr, Michelle Blade, Robin Dash, Mark Delong, Takahashi Iwasaki, Sylvia Matas, Erika Somogi, "the hotness" of Rachell Sumpter & Jacob Magraw, Ai Tsuchikawa & Ryohei Kobayashi, Andrew Jeffrey Wright. With face painting by Leslie Miller you know this will bring additional chaos to the corner.
Opening Reception 6-9 April 5-28
Motel between 5th and 6th on Couch 503.222.6699




Jun Kaneko's new glass show is a great chance to check out Bullseye's excellent exhibition space. The luminous pillars of glass are spare, direct and without gimicks.
Opening Reception 6-8pm April 5th Mar. 20-July 28th
Bullseye Gallery 300 NW 13th Tel. 503.227.0222

Other tips: make certain to catch the second month of Jason Fulford at Quality Pictures (one of the more interesting photography shows to hit Portland in years, I've seen it 3 times)and the Portland Grid Project at th Portland Art Center

In case you are wondering we aim to have a new callendar person next month.

Why so many damn group shows this month? The only one that seems to do it successfully is the TJ Norris curated Invisble:OTHER show. This is the reason I always hate spring and the beginning of summer. It's always the time of group shows for some reason. Justin Gorman and Caleb Freese's show at Ogle was surprisingly fascinating. Possibly their best work yet, and it's looking like it is possibly one of the best looking shows of the month.

April has always been a big group show month.

I think you are right about Gorman and Freese..... an impressive effort. In fact the Everett Lofts pretty much took top prize this month for new to the eyes but very professional looking shows.

Besides Gorman/Freese at Ogle I felt the black cowboy show at Genuine Imitation and Joshua Kim's rock climbing photos at Rake really stood out. I thought the video at Weretiger was funny... was that dancing coke or flour?... I can't really know the difference. As usual Tilt was probably the single tightest show in town ... calling it "Fresh Donuts" cracked me up.

Outside of the lofts the debut of Kirby Jones at Pushdot was really impressive. Sandy Roumagoux at Blackfish proved yet again why she's such a great painter... her "Lawn Ornment" slays me.

I know April is always heavey on the group shows, and it always leaves me less than ecstatic. But oh well. I guess it serves as a sampler of what may be coming in autumn.

And you are defintely right about the ESL "winning" this month. I have been interested in Justin Gorman's (and Caleb Freese's) work for quite some time, but something about this show at Ogle just blew me away. It was just a huge amount of growth from their previous.

And of course, Tilt did have a good smart show. It seems they are the only gallery in the Lofts that truly understands that less is often better. So congrats to Jenene.