Staff Picks
August is a time of reflection for many of us as we savor the last full month of summer and anticipate the changes that fall brings. These thought-provoking exhibitions ask us to reconsider art and political history through carefully crafted works of art that elevate often-overlooked stories and materials.
“Trash Talking: New Sculpture by Michael Leavitt”
Created out of recycled materials, these eye-catching pop art sculptures are by nationally lauded, Seattle-area artist Leavitt, who tackles issues such as excess consumption, gun violence and substance addiction. Leavitt confronts these themes with humor and ingenuity, letting the trash talk through the 100-plus works of art on view at Mini Mart City Park.
This is one of those rare occasions where the content of the work, the site where it’s located and how it’s arranged all come together brilliantly. Instead of displaying cases of beer and racks of junk food, this Mini Mart (a former gas station that was itself heavily recycled into an art center) displays Leavitt’s sculptural sneakers on the wall and his fabricated juice boxes grouped on shelves, among many other productlike art products. There’s even a Leavitt-created fake gas pump outside.
Through Aug. 18; Mini Mart City Park, 6525 Ellis Ave. S., Seattle; free; minimartcitypark.com
“Raúl de Nieves: A window to the see, a spirit star chiming in the wind of wonder …”
Sunny August is a great time (and the last time) to experience the huge, beautiful “stained glass” skylights at Henry Art Gallery created by de Nieves, a Michoacán, Mexico-born, Brooklyn, N.Y.-based multimedia artist. But look closely. These intricate panels aren’t made of glass at all. Instead, de Nieves has constructed them out of tape and sheets of acetate, in a process of transformation that pulls from Mexican craft traditions, Catholicism and personal mythologies.
The templelike seating structures invite you to spend time underneath the colorful panels and amid the sculptures that practically vibrate with beads, ribbons, sequins and repurposed materials. Several drag-inspired spirit guides invite you to contemplate transformation, ritual and renewal.
Through Sept. 1; Henry Art Gallery, 15th Avenue Northeast and Northeast 41st Street, Seattle; $0-$20 suggested donation; henryart.org
“Soft Power” and “Finding Home: The Chinese American West”
Last chance to see “Soft Power,” a poignant and timely exhibition at Tacoma Art Museum that features textile work by 21 artists who find strength in softness. Elevating themes of resistance and resilience, these artists explore historically gendered concepts of craft and domesticity in works of art that range from a charmingly embroidered “cootie catcher” by Marc Dombrosky to an alluringly confrontational textile panel by Ric’kisha Taylor.
While there, be sure to seek out the recently opened “Finding Home: The Chinese American West,” an exhibition of three contemporary artists — Monyee Chau, Zhi Lin and Mian Situ — who explore the hope, resilience and violent racism experienced by Chinese people in America. Guest-curated by Lele Barnett, it’s a thoughtful example of how an institution can critically examine local and national histories through compelling art.
“Soft Power” through Sept. 1, “Finding Home: The Chinese American West” through Sept. 5, 2027; Tacoma Art Museum, 1701 Pacific Ave., Tacoma; $10-$18; tacomaartmuseum.org
“Stephanie Syjuco: After/Images”
In our image-saturated world, Syjuco asks us to think about photographs — how they record or shape history and how they can be altered over time. In this exhibition, the Oakland-based artist, who was born in the Philippines, revisits the history of U.S. military expeditions, including the occupation of the Philippines (1898-1946). After mining the archives of libraries, universities and other institutions, Syjuco manipulates historical photographs by playing with scale, color, layering and pixelation, along with inserting props and even her own hands into rephotographed works. Over and over, she questions the veracity and neutrality of photos.
Through Sept. 8; Frye Art Museum, 704 Terry Ave., Seattle; free; fryemuseum.org
“Seattle Black Renaissance Artists”
This show launches SEABRAS (Seattle Black Renaissance Artists), a new collective that, according to exhibit organizer T.R. Miles, is dedicated to promoting “Blacknificence.” The artists — Charde’ Brown, Myron Curry, Yolanda Galery, Vincent Keele, Rodney King and Miles — create vibrant paintings and prints that range in style from expressively abstract to highly realistic, all showcasing Black stories and figures.
Through Sept. 8; Columbia City Gallery, 4864 Rainier Ave. S., Seattle; free; columbiacitygallery.com
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