Roy McMakin’s A Round Table With Thirty Coats of Blue Paint. Image courtesy westernbridge.org.

Roy McMakin: I Continue to Believe in the Potential to Express Hope and Sorrow through Furniture
Thru July 28, Western Bridge

Seattle artist-architect Roy McMakin—who converted the 10,000-square-foot SoDo warehouse into Western Bridge’s contemporary art space—shows new and recent work. In the past, his furniture has appeared functional, but with subversive elements (like a chest of drawers with no drawers) that reveal the artist’s sense of humor and sensibility. His sculpture, photos, video, and drawings are no different.

Can’t Get There From Here (group exhibit)
Thru June 30, Lawrimore Project

Lawrimore Project’s soaring ceiling allows for some lofty questions: "Standing in front of a photograph or a drawing or a video, what do you really expect them to provide to you? Apotheosis? Sublimity? Ecstasy? Transport? Transference? Edification?" A group exhibit considers the options; what happens when you look at Richard Misrach’s image of a Nevada night sky, or peer into the dense, gray mass photographed by Isaac Layman? What did the artist see? Also on display: work by Hiroshi Sugimoto, Amanda Manitach, Serrah Russell, and Britta Johnson.

Squeak Carnwath: Here Is
June 7–July 7, James Harris Gallery

In her third solo exhibition at James Harris, the California artist continues to explore the meaning and history of painting. Several of her oil works seem to invoke a sunnier Alden Mason, while others rely on text to carry the message. As she notes in 2009’s Thought and Pleasure, “Regardless of whether there is an image or not, painting is all thought and pleasure.” Opening reception June 7, 6–8.

Remember that Australian Aboriginal art exhibit at Seattle Art Museum we mentioned last week? You should still go see it.

Upcoming exhibits and events:

Sea-Cat Pop-Up Art Sale, June 9 at Cafe Weekend

Louder than Bombs: Paintings by Marie Koetje and Mark Schoening, June 21–July 28 at Platform Gallery