a way to mend

a way to mend examines the work of Gulf Coast artists committed to abstraction, the landscape, and the healing capacity of art making. Themes of the exhibition include wayfinding, protection, solitude, spirituality, and transformation. The anchor of the show is visionary artist Forrest Bess, whose hermetic nature, vibrant brush with psychosis, theories on gender and immortality (his Medical Thesis), correspondence with leading minds of his time, and otherworldly paintings have influenced generations of artists around the world. Bess was haunted by his visions, and discovered painting as means of protection, healing, and survival. He worked as a bait fisherman, embracing a solitary and humble lifestyle. Bess’s commitment to living and working on his own terms and in his own ways are the tenants of this exhibition, shared by the contemporary artists and writers in the exhibition. a way to mend celebrates the spiritual, psychological, and philosophical healing potential of art, for maker and viewer alike.

The exhibition features work by the following Gulf Coast artists – Isela Aguirre, Forrest Bess, Sebastien Boncy, Crasis (Andy P. Davis and Anne Lukins), Julie DeVries, Garrett Griffin, Stephanie Gonzalez, Shangyi Hua, Jonathan Paul Jackson, Terrell James, Emily Peacock, Mitch Pengra, Alexis Pye, Gerardo Rosales, JR Roykovich, Eric Schnell, Adrienne Simmons and Benji Stiles.

Analytic and poetic texts were contributed by writers Molly Everett, Sarah Fisher, Liz Gates, Adam Marnie, Gabriel Martinez, and Emma Timbers.

a way to mend was guest curated by Doug Welsh, an artist and writer based in Houston. Welsh has curated several exhibitions, including most recently – leftovers, landSPACE: a kunsthalle, Austin, 2024, It’s OK to Feel This, LAR Gallery, Houston, 2024, and orbit, ESS Gallery 1, Houston, 2024.

a way to mend is curated by Doug Welsh