On Display

WASHINGTON, DC

Porcelania: East Meets West  Cross MacKenzie Gallery, November 10 to December 8
Walter McConnell’s monumental assemblage of porcelain figurines—comprising Buddhas and more cast from molds found in hobby shops—is one of the contemporary takes on traditional clay techniques by four ceramic artists in this show. McConnell’s towering constructions can also be seen at the Freer Sackler exhibition “Chinamania” (through June 4, 2017). Steven Young Lee’s masterful porcelain meltdowns are presented at Cross MacKenzie, as well as at the Renwick’s “Visions and Revisions: Renwick Invitational 2016” (through January 8, 2017). 1675 Wisconsin Avenue, NW; 202-337-7970; crossmackenzie.com

Suzanne Caporael: A Progression of Prints  Addison Ripley Fine Art, December 10 to January 21, 2017
Inspired by the fields, lakes and rivers near her home in Upstate New York, Suzanne Caporael’s art has evolved from literal representations to pared-down, flattened scenes that distill a lyrical essence. Her work is traced through prints and a few paintings spanning 30 years. 1670 Wisconsin Avenue, NW; 202-338-5180; addisonripleyfineart.com

Hedieh Javanshir Ilchi: Everything Became Nearness and All the Nearness Turned to Stone Hemphill, November 11 to December 23
Blending Western abstraction and Persian art, brilliantly hued paintings reflect the dual cultural experiences of this Iranian-American artist. Meticulous ornamentation based on “Tazhib”—the art of illumination—contrasts with explosive passages of pigment, referencing both personal and socio-political conflicts. Ilchi is currently an artist-in-residence at the Arlington Arts Center. 1515 14th Street, NW; 202-234-5601;hemphillfinearts.com

Michelle Peterson-Albandoz  Long View Gallery, December 1 to January 8, 2017
Growing up near forests in Connecticut and Puerto Rico, Michelle Peterson-Albandoz’s  art celebrates the aesthetics of wood, which has always fascinated her. She has assembled hand-sawn wood into patterned wall pieces. Installed side-by-side, these three-dimensional artworks may cover an entire wall. 1234 9th Street, NW; 202-232-4788; longviewgallerydc.com

Rachel Farbiarz: A Different Country  G Fine Art, October 29 to December 10
DC-based artist Rachel Farbiarz examines current events through extensive drawings combined with collage elements using historical source materials from books, journals, newspapers and magazines. Measuring from 11-by-14 inches up to 48-by-60 inches for an epic tableau, Farbiarz’s intriguing art acknowledges the repetitive persistence of current struggles. 4618 14th Street, NW; 202-462-1601; gfineartdc.com

Chiaroscuro: a collection of works by Ognian Zekoff  Artist’s Proof, December 7 to January 8, 2017
These larger-than-life oil paintings depict the human body in photographic hyper-realism. Bright light, deep shadows and rich, monochromatic tones heighten the sense of drama. Subjects appear to reach beyond the frame, overwhelming lines between illusion and reality. Born in Bulgaria, Zekoff lives and works in Canada. 1533 Wisconsin Avenue, NW; 202-803-2782; aproof.net

MARYLAND

Art/Craft/Design, Create  Create, ongoing
Create is a new gallery that presents works by nationally recognized, Eastern Shore craft artists: Rob Glebe (metal), Patti and Dave Hegland (glass), Bob Ortiz (wood furniture), Marilee Schumann (ceramics) and Faith Wilson (painted floor cloths). Works by guest artists rotate; jewelry makers are featured in December. Changing wall pieces are curated by Carla Massoni, whose nearby art gallery is also in Chestertown’s historic district. 113 South Cross Street, Chestertown; 410-870-9808; createartcraftdesign.com

Landscapes Into Art  C. Grimaldis Gallery, October 27 to December 22
Varied visions of the landscape are shown by 10 artists from the Mid-Atlantic region. Dating from 1980 through 2016, these oil and watercolor paintings feature Henry Coe’s traditional views and colorful interpretations by Baltimore native David Brewster, alongside those of younger artists who continue to expand the landscape genre, as in Eleanor Ray’s charming miniatures. 523 N. Charles Street, Baltimore; 410-539-1080; cgrimaldisgallery.com

VIRGINIA

Chris Stephens: Sight Lines  Haley Fine Art, December 8 to January 10, 2017
In this debut exhibition of his abstract oil paintings, Chris Stephens—known for his sweeping views of Virginia’s Piedmont region—applies a similar palette of vibrant colors embedded in strong geometric patterns. 42 Main Street, Sperryville; 540-987-1000;haleyfineart.com

Prison (Re)form   Workhouse Arts Center, through December 31, 2017
Gathered on the grounds of the former Lorton Prison, five sculptures bear titles such as “Memory” and “Escape.” The large-scale works in bronze, steel and wood memorialize convicts and suffragists once imprisoned in the surrounding historic buildings. The sobering themes of these sculptures are intended to encourage contemplation about past and current prison conditions. 9518 Workhouse Way, Lorton; 703-584-2900; workhousearts.org 

Writer Tina Coplan is based in Chevy Chase. 

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