December 17, 2021 by Andrea Kirsh

Amber Robles-Gordon’s anti-colonial quilts and personal histories at American University Museum at the Katzen Center

An artist’s visit to her mother’s birth place in Puerto Rico awakens her to the complexities of immigration and family – and to the dubious socio-political actions and inactions by the U.S. government in its far-flung territories. Our reviewer Andrea Kirsh is moved by the powerful collage works and double-sided quilts of Amber Robles-Gordon. The show closed Dec. 12.

December 2, 2021 by Andrea Kirsh

Books for holiday giving, Part 2

Part two of Andrea Kirsh’s annual round up of the best in art books is here, including two intriguing books: one on abstract art; the other on art world forgeries and hoaxes! These are great for those interested in 20th/ 21st century abstraction, or those who enjoy mysteries/ detective stories. Make sure to check out “Books for Holiday Giving, Part 1”!

November 16, 2021 by Andrea Kirsh

Books for holiday giving, Part 1

The holidays are nearly here, and so is Part 1 of Andrea Kirsh’s annual round up of the best in art books, including an art book tour of historical artist homes and studios (including some local ones), a contemporary painting book for art loves of all kinds, and an enlightening look at 20th century art!

November 11, 2021 by Andrea Kirsh

Powerful and overlooked, “Emma Amos: Color Odyssey” at the Philadelphia Museum of Art reveals an innovative and feisty woman artist

“Emma Amos: Color Odyssey” at the Philadelphia Museum of Art is a revelation for those who want to know the art of Emma Amos, who came up during Abstract Expressionism’s heyday and fought against abstraction in works that are complex, inventive and in several cases, stunning.

November 2, 2021 by Andrea Kirsh

Sophisticated, exquisitely executed, and provocative, Linda Bond at Leonard Pearlstein Gallery

Linda Bond uses text and imagery to capture her decades-long obsessive and close readings of the US government’s pursuit of war. Andrea Kirsh calls Bond’s multi-media pieces, focused on the resulting impact on humans from the organized weapons of destruction, compelling. The show is on view until Feb. 20, 2022, at Drexel University’s Leonard Pearlstein Gallery.

October 21, 2021 by Andrea Kirsh

An opera drops in with a pointed message about climate change, “Sun & Sea” presented by Exhibitions at Arcadia University at the Philadelphia Fringe Festival

August 23, 2021 by Andrea Kirsh

The under known history of Alma Thomas, in print and on view

Andrea Kirsh reviews “Alma Thomas; Everything is Beautiful,” a catalog for the exhibition of the same name. Andrea says both the catalog and exhibition tell the under known history of Alma Thomas’s life as an artist, educator, role model and inspiration to many. The traveling exhibition runs until Sept. 25, 2022; currently on view at Chrysler Museum of Art through Oct. 3, 2021. The catalog is available at the Museum or through Yale University Press.

August 4, 2021 by Andrea Kirsh

Celebrating the vast career of Raphael Montañez Ortiz, El Museo del Barrio founder

Andrea Kirsh reviews the first monograph on career of Raphael Montañez Ortiz- artist, educator, and founder of El Museo del Barrio in New York City. Andrea says that before this book was published, art historians failed to document Montañez Ortiz’s diverse, inquisitive, and dynamic career.