Capsule Art Reviews: "Contemporary Conversations: Robert Ryman, 1976," "Nan Goldin: Stories Retold," "Ornament as Art: Avant-Garde Jewelry from the Helen Williams Drutt Collection," "Pompeo Batoni: Prince of Painters in Eighteenth-Century Rome"

"Will Boone: A Man's House Is His Coffin"

Comments (0) By Sean Carroll and Kelly Klaasmeyer and Troy Schulze Wednesday, Jan 16 2008

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"Will Boone: A Man's House Is His Coffin" The use of "House," not "Home," is on purpose – there's a difference between a physical address and the feeling of belonging that comes with a true home. A wandering soul, Will Boone takes his sense of belonging with him as he embarks on a tour of American counterculture in the 21st century. Boone's artwork exists where indie rock, emo and noise meet art, drugs and hip-hop; it brings to mind late-night house parties and disillusion. His text paintings reveal a decidedly pessimistic worldview: In one work, gothic Old English lettering spells out THIS PLACE SUCKS. In another, called Ferocious Guest, hand-drawn letters tell a hilarious, crushing tale. In other works, Boone uses found imagery in awkward, simplified ink drawings that conjure the album covers and flyers of Raymond Pettibon. Will Boone's ink drawings and paintings are a reminder that home is where you find yourself — the mosh-pit mayhem of My War and the macho posturing of Live Long Nothing are icons of American life, as readable as the signs in a restaurant window. Through January 18. Domy Books, 1709 Westheimer, 713-523-3669. — SC