One look at the paintings of Linda Hofheinz conjures opulent images of the Renaissance or the kind of portraiture afforded only by the wealthiest of patrons. But at second glance we realize thereยs something else going on ย something mysterious. Hofheinzยs ยWhat Lies Ahead,ย a collection of recent work, includes a portrait of a blindfolded soldier playing accordion against a backdrop of menacing red clouds. Thereยs also a Mediterranean-influenced image of a young girl with a halo of bees, and an inexplicable portrait of a Renaissance woman posing with a blue egg. Odd calligraphy in Latin peppers some of the paintings.
The artistยs bio provides some clues to the origins of these curious works. The Goose Creek, Texas-raised Hofheinz had an Aunt Mabel who Hofheinz says ยappeared to be straitlaced and proper, but she was actually a little twisted.ย Hofheinz says the strange rituals of the small-town Catholic Church she attended left lingering impressions, as well. ยThe ceremony was mysterious and intriguing despite the fact that it was said in Latin that none of us understood.ย That explains some. The rest, Hofheinz says, shouldnยt be explained at all. Thereยs an opening reception on Saturday, November 10, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. After that, regular viewing hours are noon to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. G Gallery, 301 East 11th Street. Through November 28. For information, call 713-869-4770 or visit www.ggalleryhouston.com. Free
Wednesdays-Sundays, 12-5 p.m. Starts: Nov. 10. Continues through Nov. 28, 2007
This article appears in Nov 8-14, 2007.