If illustration-based and folk (or outsider) art-infused visual art is seeing its star rise (think Chris Johanson, Marcel Dzama, and locally Troy Briggs, Jen Corace, and Carson Ellis), Evan B. Harris is poised to rise with it.
Harris’ work is most aptly described as knowing folk art, employing a folk art stylistic naif idiosyncrasies but with an air that says I know you know. It’s willfully nostalgic work sharing with Ellis both a palette (tea-stain washes, charcoals, and roses) and frequently historical subject matter.
At its best, it is both smart and beautiful, as his series of birds captioned thus…”Wood Thrush in a silk crepe de chine envelope chemise neatly trimmed in front with rows of lace insertion,” “Bay-Breasted Warbler in a velveteen jacket and a yoke topped sicle pleated skirt trimmed with pearl buttons,” and “Bobolink in a hills jean sport suit” which you won’t see in his current show at OFFICE, but appeal to us for reasons obvious and not so.
Tonight, Thursday, March 29, OFFICE (2204 NE Alberta) opens a show of Evan B. Harris’ work with a reception from 7-9 PM.
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