Art Preview: Zanne Hochberg at Flatbed Gallery

In the way of art, Dallas had mostly cowboy paintings to offer until the 1950’s. That’s when the abstract expressionists rolled in, paintbrushes blazing. Zanne Hochberg (1931-2001), whose work will soon be showing at the Flatbed Gallery, was among them.

Hochberg, like others of her school, used color and abstract, fluid shapes to express feeling in her work (as opposed to pure form). Legend has it that she was a wee thing with lots of vim and vigor, and her paintings and etchings communicate vibrance: within only a few square inches, lines intersect, curves collide, brown meets black meets red meets purple.

Of the twenty or so pieces at Flatbed, several, including the one posted above, are rich and curvaceous. Others are more intricate and map-like, and still others – Austinist’s favorites, actually – possess an earthy, calligraphic feel. Quite spare, they’re a bit like haikus: detail poor, but expression rich. (Should you feel inclined to investigate Hochberg’s style further, look into the Fort Worth Circle and The Dallas Nine.)

If you venture over to the opening this Saturday, you’ll be glad you did. Plus, Austinist will be proud you gave this pioneering artist her due.

Click here for more details.

Zanne Hochberg Exhibition
Opening: Saturday, April 8th, 6-9pm
Exhibition continues through April 22
Flatbed Gallery
2830 E. MLK
Phone: 512.477.9328
Hours: M-F 10-6; Sat. 10-5, and by appt.

* Image: Zanne Hochberg, Untitled, 2000, hand-painted etching