‘ArtNow’ features realism, photography

A benefit “ArtNow” show at Oklahoma Contemporary keeps us intrigued by and looking at the work of its 23 state-based artists.

Open free during its run, it closes with a sale at 8 p.m. Jan. 18. Alyson Atchison, a longtime curator of Oklahoma Arts Council galleries at the state Capitol, curated the show, along with Patrick Reynolds.

Excellent realism and photography, makes a good jumping-off place to explore works using materials in less conventional ways.

Horses and cattle, standing in sagebrush, fill the foreground of three powerful, well-rendered oils of “Rodeo Stock,” by Woodward artist Jeff Dodd,

One feels one knows Moore artist Steve Breerwood, from his intense “Stereogram Self Portrait” in oil, while dark, foraging “Grackles” almost invade our space.

Debris falls through Tulsa artist Matthew Bearden’s acrylic of a rust-hued “30th Century Man,” who confronts us, wearing a gas mask and horned helmet.

A rubber mask of an old man, hung on a bed post, and a small elephant statue, seem to represent the photographic subject of “Autopsy,” by Tulsa artist Katharine Norton.

Equally strong is Katie Henderson’s color photo of a bearded, bare-chested man in overalls, standing like a living heroic statue, in front of “Harley’s House,” covered with old signs.

Tulsa artist Carrie Dickason recycles discarded plastic packaging, plaster and copper in “Entangled Distress,” a striking wall hanging, casting jagged shadows.

Elegant and austere are the plywood “Circle Vessel” and “Line Vessel” of Tulsa artist Elspeth Schulze, who also uses concrete balls to break through two other sphere vessels.

Sulphur artist Margaret Roach Wheeler creates a woven costume for a seated, ghostlike human-horse figure, using twisted warp, glass beads and brass bells.

Sarah Sullivan combines cotton and wool with abstract acrylic imagery, and Suzanne Thomas depicts a woman in a garden, using embroidery on net, over acrylic painted canvas.

Stillwater artist Gary Batzloff shows three stick-like, wood, steel and acrylic wall pieces, and Justin Voight supplies three carbon steel chef knives which are cutting edge, in a good way.

The show is highly recommended during its run.