Recent Exhibitions
Exhibition History
Scroll through our past exhibitions below
Memorable Shows
Theophilus Brown: Notes, Lines and Living Color
Musical Theophilus Brown, born in Moline, Illinois, descended from early-American intellectuals. His great-grandfather was friends with Emerson and Thoreau, while his father, an inventor, worked at John Deere. At Yale, Brown befriended Paul Hindemith and May Sarton, graduating in 1941 before serving in WWII. Post-war, he pursued painting, connecting with Picasso, Giacometti, and de Kooning. A trained pianist, he mingled with composers like John Cage. In 1952, Brown joined Berkeley’s art program and the Bay Area Figurative Movement. Partnered with Paul Wonner, he later lived in Santa Monica, befriending Christopher Isherwood. Brown painted daily until his death at 92 in San Francisco
Squeak Carnwath: Transforming Narratives
Squeak Carnwath is a renowned painter and printmaker whose work blends vivid colors, text, and symbols to explore the personal and universal. Her distinctive style invites humor, reflection, and emotional connection, transforming everyday experiences into compelling visual narratives. Carnwath’s achievements include a Guggenheim Fellowship, the SECA Art Award from SFMOMA, and the Lee Krasner Lifetime Achievement Award. Her art appears in major collections and galleries, admired for its depth and vibrancy. Based in Oakland, California, and Professor Emerita at UC Berkeley, Carnwath continues to create timeless, thought-provoking work that enriches and inspires collectors and viewers alike.
Hung Liu: A Visionary Bridge Between Memory and Freedom
Hung Liu (1948–2021) was a transformative artist who explored personal history, collective memory, and rebellion. Born in China during political upheaval, she faced displacement during Mao’s Cultural Revolution. Her secret “My Secret Freedom” series marked early defiance of constraints. After moving to the U.S. in 1984, Liu pioneered “weeping realism,” blending photorealism with abstraction to revive forgotten lives—Chinese laborers, comfort women, and Dust Bowl refugees. Works like Resident Alien challenged stereotypes and celebrated resilience. Liu’s legacy bridges art and history, reflecting cultural identity and memory.
James Melchert: Celebrating Imperfection and Experimentation
James Melchert (1930–2023) was a pioneering artist whose five-decade career reshaped contemporary art. Trained at Princeton, the University of Chicago, and UC Berkeley, he became a leading figure in elevating ceramics as fine art, studying under Peter Voulkos. Melchert’s work crossed mediums—ceramics, conceptual art, and performance—celebrating imperfection and experimentation. As a UC Berkeley professor, he mentored influential artists and, through leadership roles at the NEA and the American Academy in Rome, supported artists globally. His work is held in major institutions like the Met and SFMOMA, leaving a legacy of fearless innovation and artistic reinvention.
Richard Shaw: Trompe-l’Oeil Visionary
Richard Shaw (b. 1941, Los Angeles) transforms porcelain into lifelike sculptures of everyday objects, blending humor, elegance, and meaning. Raised by artist parents, he discovered ceramics at the San Francisco Art Institute (BFA, 1965) and UC Davis (MFA, 1968), where mentors like Peter Voulkos shaped his approach. Shaw pioneered low-fire techniques and overglaze decals, using assemblages to explore identity and tell human stories. “My work memorializes identity through personal narrative,” he explains. A National Endowment for the Arts Fellow, Shaw’s work is held in major collections, including the Whitney Museum and LACMA, continuing to inspire and captivate worldwide.
William T. Wiley: Tracing the Edge of Imagination
William T. Wiley (1937-2021) was a visionary artist whose work defied boundaries, blending humor, wordplay, and cultural critique across mediums like painting, sculpture, and printmaking. A key figure in the Bay Area Funk Movement, Wiley taught at UC Davis, influencing artists such as Bruce Nauman and Deborah Butterfield. His career highlights include exhibitions at the Venice Biennale, Whitney Biennial, and Smithsonian American Art Museum. Known for his inventive storytelling and technical brilliance, Wiley’s work captivates collectors with its wit and depth. His legacy endures as a dynamic force in American art, celebrating creativity and critical thought.
Artwork from past exhibitions.
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