Talent of the future taking shape
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OK, enough of dead artists already. The days of Northwest mysticism are long gone, and it's time to turn our thoughts to the talent of the future. For that, the place to go is James Harris Gallery in Pioneer Square.
Harris' latest venture, a group show called "TRANSmogrified" (meaning to change form, especially into something strange) revisits the territory that the Roman poet Ovid staked out in his tales of "Metamorphosis."
Harris chose a handful of West Coast artists who share a penchant for shape-shifting or deception in their imagery. As always, he keeps the show minimal and tightly focused — just one to three pieces per artist — a necessity in a space as small as his.
It's great to see Harris picking up on the work of Seattle artists Claire Cowie and Ephraim Russell, both of whom have sparkled in the alternative-gallery scene.
Cowie's delicate grotesqueries have perfect pitch, like little Goyas, only with a distinctly feminine sensibility.
Russell's squat sculptures wed the clean lines of industrial design with the notion of art for art's sake. It's a happy marriage.
Sheila Farr: sfarr@seattletimes.com.
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