Margaret Braun: Semi Tropical
Margaret Braun admits it willingly:
“I’m a Topo poser. I don’t actually like it. But I’m a fan-girl! I love the aesthetic.”
The New York native plays with the sparkling water logo as just one association of her love for Houston, the city she calls home. Braun tools within that theme in three iterations, displaying an oil painting, chainmail Topo Chico bikini top and a polaroid.
“It [the bikini-top and picture] allowed me to be more sculptural. I paint every day for work, so when I was frustrated in sculpture I could fall back into painting. I really like the sign-painting aspect of my job, and it definitely influenced my thinking in painting.”
Braun’s Houston-homage, dubbed Semi Tropical, debuted February 22 at Bret Shirley’s Houston gallery, BS Projects. Semi Tropical finds her “framing my interests within life in Texas,” by presenting a bright and whimsical multimedia collection. It’s the artist’s first solo exhibition since moving South after art school, and she’s bubbling like the bright art on the walls while describing her road.
“My visual artwork comes out of my writing. This show is my first trunk of work since living in Texas. For a while, I had no studio, no settle, no visual work. Writing feels like I’m still making something and still getting ideas out on the move. Here. New York. Back and forth. Writing allowed me a creative medium while mobile.”
“I collect words and phrases as I travel, and if one phrase or piece makes them [viewers] think of something cool, funny or poignant, then that’s satisfying my goal. Maybe it’s everyone making art, but there are personal ideas you find interesting and important and the struggle is turning the idea into something tangible we can share. You can read into it or just enjoy the visual experience.”
Braun’s installation concludes this Saturday from 2-5 pm as the artist closes shop and “casually” treats visitors to selected readings from her collection. If you’re in Houston, enjoy this loving look at “Texas with a twist of lime.”