RAW Houston: BOLD - A (sort of) Review

Above: Artwork by Katherine Mason. All rights reserved by the artist.
Left: Artwork by Ramon Hernandez. All rights reserved by the artist.

What: RAW: Natural Born Artists Presents: BOLD
When: September 24th, 2015 - 7pm-11:30pm
Where: Studio Live: 6400 Richmond Ave, Houston

So, last night I went along to RAW Artists' BOLD event at Studio Live. For those of you who have yet to go to one of these nights, GO DO IT! A little background before we get to the good stuff: RAW is an international community made up of creative individuals across the globe. Their mission is to provide independent artists within the first 10 years of their career with the tools, resources and exposure needed to inspire and cultivate creativity. RAW currently operates in nearly 60 cities across the United States, Australia, Canada and, most recently, London.

This was my second time attending a RAW Houston event since moving to the city, and I certainly intend to make a habit of it. I first discovered the international phenomenon while looking for exhibitions that my partner Adam could enter his work into (yes, I'm one of those shamelessly pushy Dance Mom-types that enters him into everything because I am convinced that he is brilliant, which of course he is). Apart from being a great foot-in-the-door for first time exhibitors, it's a fab night out for anyone with even a passing interest in visual art, performance art, music, fashion, or local talent in all its forms. If you can get onboard with the extortionate drink prices and the occasional dodgy craft booth, then it's well worth the $10-$20 entry fee.

Just a few highlights from last night's Houston-based event BOLD included Katherine Mason, Graphic Designer Ramon Hernandez, and the incredible photography of Mabry Campbell.  While Mabry is an internationally acclaimed artist (and rightly so!), both Katherine and Ramon are less well known, and artists like these are what RAW is all about. I was particularly attracted to the three artists in particular by their starkly different (and most importantly successful) approach to the theme: Mabry's stunning long exposure infrared photography; the striking abstract shapes of Ramon Hernandez; and the tongue in cheek pop art portraits by Katherine Mason. 

The crafty stuff for me personally is a little eh, so I was happy to see that BOLD, unlike the last RAW event in the same venue GLIMPSE, was a little more visual art-centric - with an emphasis on bold (no shit Sherlock) graphic artists.  As with any up-and-coming exhibition, there were some booths that were a definite swing and a miss, but who wants to focus on the negative?  The best thing about this event in my opinion is the synergy between different forms of artistic expression. Sure it's a little self consciously "arty" in some ways, but in general I was excited to see this type of opportunity being both offered and wholeheartedly taken advantage of in my city.  Hop along to RAW's next Houston event UPRISING in November or check out their website for events in your area,

Photography by Mabry Campbell. All rights reserved by the artist.