Review

David Ford, "Relax," large-scale print, was installed on the west-facing exterior of the H&R Block Artspace last week; the gallery's latest Project Wall was commissioned in conjunction with Ford's solo exhibition at the Dolphin Gallery by the same name; it opens November 20 and includes soft performances opening night only. Image: courtesy of Kansas City Art Institute

Joshua Rizer, "Somewhat Vaginal," oil on canvas, 36" x 48", is part of a solo retrospective exhibition at the Trap Gallery, open for Third Friday November 20; Rizer's work has been shown at the Base Gallery and the Mercy Seat Gallery this year, and new work by him will be exhibited in March 2010 at The Late Show Gallery. Image: courtesy of the artist

Part of a dual night of Collection Focus exhibition openings November 20, the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art features Eli Navarrete Ortiz (Mexican, b. 1974), multi-colored on graphite pot, clay, 2007; collection Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art – JCCC, acc .no. 2008.40; gift of Dean E. Thompson, Overland Park, Kansas. "Mata Ortiz, in northern Mexico, has been described as a 'small village where magic happens every day.' Approximately 450 potters live there, producing technically superb and visually compelling pottery that has gained both national and international attention.The originator of the Mata Ortiz ceramic movement is Juan Quezada, whose visually arresting red on black vessel is on view in the Regnier Center. Many of the finest Mata Ortiz artists are now represented in this growing collection … In the past decade, Mata Ortiz pottery burst onto the national and international art scenes. The town now boasts second- and third-generation potters who are shaping the Mata Ortiz movement in their own creative and diverse directions. Artist Eli Navarrete created a distinctive style seemingly influenced by M.C. Esher prints, 1960s psychedelia and prehistoric pottery designs. A spectacular, multi-hued vessel by Navarette is showcased in the new installation." Image: courtesy of the museum; quoted text by Peggy Graham of JCCC