Hakkodo, The Artisans of Kamakura, is the finale in a trio of of exhibitions tracing traditions in Japanese lacquer and brings 4 generations of artists (all from one town) who have for 29 generations handed down the tradition from father to son. Now a woman, Keiko Goto, is building a new tradition along with her sister Naoko, building upon the past but moving in a new direction. PORT reviewed the exquisite second in the series by Kazumi Murose, and the first Rediscovering Lacquer was our top pick of 2014's craft/design exhibitions. Definitely check it out, besides the Japanese Garden itself is sublime and a top shelf experience.

Hakkodo, The Artisans of Kamakura | April 10 - May 3
Portland Japanese Garden
611 SW Kingston Avenue



Heidi Schwegler, The Next Time You See Me (2014)

Botched Executions is decade long survey of one of my favorite Portland artists, Heidi Schwegler. The thing is every single solo show of her's that I've ever seen has suffered from from a lack of sustained focus (it is an intentional capriciousness that many super-talented suffer from). So it will be interesting to see how a curatorial culling of just her best pieces might do her the justice she seems divert from presenting. Perhaps, it is just that my standards are a lot higher than most but for perspective Storm Tharp had this same problem until his break out exhibition in 2007. Perhaps that is why she titled the show Botched Executions? I hope it is just a witty deflection and a way to get the discussion going. After all... as a instructor, she is one of the reasons the Oregon College of Art and Craft has one of the best art programs in Portland (execution wise their executions are strong).

Botched Execution: Selected Works by Heidi Schwegler 2004-2015 | April 7 - May 15
Opening Reception: Sunday, April 12 4 - 6 PM
Artist Talk: May 14 12:30PM
Art Gym | Marylhurst University
17600 Pacific Highway (Hwy. 43)


*Tip: you should also make certain to catch the last weekend of Richard Mosse's The Enclave at the Portland Art Museum (Amy wrote an inspired review here and I'll publish an engaging interview this weekend as a capstone as well). It is one of the best contemporary art exhibitions Portland has hosted in recent memory so don't miss it.