Texas Contemporary Art Fair 2018: Nothing to See Here

After half an hour spent searching for parking in downtown Houston and another half-hour waiting in line, I finally arrived at the Texas Contemporary Art Fair. I was surprised to see a long queue snaking up the escalator for preview night; the cancellation of last year's fair had clearly piqued the public's eagerness for new art. As the line slowly inched forward, I wondered about the creative treasures that awaited inside—something I was eager to discover, but first, I had to brave the wait.

The second floor greeted me with a vibrant display of artsy road traffic signs, which made the wait more bearable. These signs, harmonizing in color with the reddish pipes hanging from the ceiling, offered snippets of love and wisdom, prompting me to pause and absorb their messages.

The Fair floor was dripped with the works of art and installations. Every one was more spectacular and thought-provoking than the next. You could tell it appeared to be an exhibition of all media. It embraced as many forms of art as there are artists. It pulsed with color, innovative ideas and a beautiful crowd milling around.

The Texas Contemporary Art Fair takes place in the fall at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston! This vibrant event showcases an eclectic mix of contemporary artworks, highlighting both innovative global artists and talented local creators. It's a fantastic opportunity to immerse oneself in the cutting-edge art scene and discover unique pieces that truly resonate.

Laura Rathe Fine Art (Houston | Dallas)

The Walk

Starting with an intricate floral arrangement elegantly displayed inside a frame, this piece instantly captured the public's attention. It took me the better part of the evening to navigate through the bustling crowd just to snap a picture, but the effort was worth it for such a captivating work of art.

Installations

Signs with the imported words were placed in the hallways. A transitional space that is more valuable than it seems. Need to move on but linger in the middle? Take a look around, the answer is right there in front of you. How cool it could be to actually see those in the public hallways for a change? They could definitely make my day.

The Words

The art of today takes the form of words and neon signs, and the combination of the two tends to be remarkable.

by Olivia Steele

So, what can we do about ego?

Maddox's gallery next.

One of my favorites though was this piece harbored in the corner away from the main area.

Feminist Art

Not all images portraying women should be made as replicas of The Birth of Venus and Grande Odalisque. Feminist imagery and artists are instrumental to make the social statements and push for the women's rights.

After The Walk

The resting zone was an oasis of plush chairs. I plopped down in the striped one to rest my feet in style.

With a head full of art, I headed out to the Discovery Green park for its larger than life illuminated spheres installation – moonGARDEN. Multiple spheres strewed throughout the park with the largest sphere reaching 30 feet in diameter.