Boston’s wealth of art galleries is now largely concentrated in the shiny SoWA (South of Washington) art and design district. Here are seven of the best that can be visited in an afternoon of gallerying.
Boston Sculptors Gallery
Peering into Boston Sculptors Gallery. (Photo: Boston Sculptors Gallery)
A group of 18 sculptors founded this gallery in 1993 to fill a void they saw in their hometown. It’s since become one of the premier spaces showcasing artists working in the medium and also serves as a community to foster the creation of new works. Recent highlights include Andy Moerlin’s solo show Looking for Mountains, a collection of abstract statues inspired by ancient Asian garden stones.
486 Harrison Ave
Gallery Bom
This intimate gallery focuses on contemporary art by American and South Korean artists. From Sumin Son’s raindrop-speckled riffs on classic works like Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring to Seth Clark’s collages of deteriorating structures to Soojin Kim’s macabre plates, Gallery Bom displays a wide range of works by young artists just starting to make their mark in the art world.
460 Harrison Ave, Suite B7
Howard Yezerski Gallery
This acclaimed gallery in the SoWa art district features work by artists shown at the Whitney Biennial and MoMA among other places. Recent highlights include Siddharth Choudhary’s THIS THAT and the other, which uses the color scheme of The Simpsons to depict slice-of-life moments of celebration.
460 Harrison Ave
International Poster Gallery
A recent show on Art Deco posters at International Poster Gallery. (Photo: International Poster Gallery)
With 10,000 vintage posters spanning the entire twentieth century, International Poster Gallery has one of the most extensive collections around. As its name implies, the gallery’s holdings span the globe from Italy to Russia and of course France. What really separates them apart though is their wide range of prices. While $10,000 posters aren’t uncommon, there are also plenty to be had for under $100.
460C Harrison Ave, Suite C20
Kabinett Gallery
The gallery space of Kabinett. (Photo: Kabinett)
This sleek gallery has two purposes: to showcase art movements throughout history and to put on solo and group shows of cutting-edge contemporary artists. Recent highlights include Jeff Quinn’s trippy oil painting landscapes that twist the viewer’s perception with twisty flourishes of color carefully doled out across often bleak landscapes.
450 Harrison Ave, #29
Lanoue Gallery
Lanoue features art across a multitude of mediums, including painting, sculpture, photography, and mixed media. Their artists hail both from the Boston area and far beyond. Recent highlights include pop art mixed media pieces by North Carolina-raised Paul Rousso, who uses cereal boxes as a base for striking playful sculptural works.
450 Harrison Ave, #31
Kingston Gallery
The Chris Maglia show at Kingston. (Photo: Kingston Gallery)
This artist-run gallery, named for the street near Chinatown where its first location opened in 1982, is controlled by dues-paying members whose work is shown on its walls. Unlike commercial galleries that take a cut of the sales, 100% of proceeds go to the artist. Recent highlights include Chris Maliga’s haunting black and white landscapes, shot on an 8×10 view camera and often featuring the artist splayed across a barren stretch of nature.
450 Harrison, #43
By Christopher Kompanek