While Winter Storm Fern affected countless houses and families throughout the country and right here in Nashville, it also took its toll on the local art scene. Cass Contemporary and other businesses near its 409 Chestnut St. location were damaged in the storm and its aftermath of electrical outages amid frigid temps. The chaos of January has prompted the gallery to pivot its current exhibition to an online virtual display and a benefit for neighbors who are still recovering from the disruptive ice and snow. GLEAM includes work by a roster of three international street artists whose varied practices are connected by materials and their effects. Alex Bacon, Drew Merritt and Leon Keer make figurative, representational work, but GLEAM is more concerned with the way these artists use various types of paint and techniques to play with reflected light. Keer’s pop-inspired acrylic paintings on shaped wooden panels steal the show for me, demonstrating how an artist can engage impeccable representational technique while still engaging with advanced formalist concerns. GLEAM includes top-shelf, one-of-a-kind paintings along with limited editions of more affordable prints. A portion of exhibition sales will be donated to Hands On Nashville’s Winter Storm Recovery Fund. Check out the show at casscontemporary.com/gleam.
Through April 25 online at casscontemporary.com/gleam
