Artist Leigh Anne Lester puts as much effort into her titles as her works themselves. Take the piece Crocboleaparsempeustusgiaervivum Zpnaluriaspetecttusduraorum pictured here, a silk on silk embroidery piece showing a purple flower sprouting from a gold bulb, all set against a muted blue background. It’s one of the embroidery efforts in her new exhibit “Beautiful Freaks/Nature’s Bastards.” Lester, winner of the prestigious 2011 Hunting Art Prize, also includes cut paper pieces, carbon drawings and sculpture in the show. As the exhibit title indicates, Lester’s collection of images of plants and flowers blurs the line between beauty and ugliness, challenging viewers to expand their understanding of what is attractive. There’s an opening reception 6 to 9 p.m., September 8. Regular viewing hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays to Fridays. Through October 14. Houston Arts Alliance, space125gallery, 3201 Allen Parkway. For information, call 713-927-9330 or visit www.houstonartsalliance.com/space125gallery. Free.
Mondays-Fridays. Starts: Sept. 8. Continues through Oct. 14, 2011
This article appears in Sep 29 – Oct 5, 2011.