1. A Land With No Name

Artist: Sara Madandar
Location: Co-Lab Projects
When to see it: Oct. 5–26
What to expect: Paintings that are often shredded, burned, or even carved with a laser, as destruction and transformation of artistic materials is something Iran-native Sara Madandar often incorporates into her artwork. Decorated with Persian elements, this series explores the multi-faceted notions of gender and national identity throughout time and space. Her hand-made paper creations are recycled from 2017 New York Times detailing news about the Muslim ban, making her work piercingly relevant to today’s social climate.

2. Happiness is a Journey

Artists: Bear Lopez, Ivete Lucas, and Patrick Bresnan​
Location: Big Medium
When to see it: Oct. 18–Nov. 24
What to expect: A vast collection of items Lopez has gathered over the years, drenched in Austin history and arranged to form shrines that pay homage to his time in his fiercely beloved city. In one video installation, Lopez’s paper route for the Statesman is shown, where, over the last 20 years, he has witnessed the drastic transformation of Austin from a quirky town under the nation’s radar, to a widely-known hotspot for the wild and weird.

3. Secure the Perimeter

Artist: John Mulvany
Location: grayDUCK Gallery
When to see it: Sept. 14–Oct. 20
What to expect: A visceral reflection of the nation’s current state of political and social uncertainty, whereby Austin is observed through a micro lens to detail how we grapple with change. These metamorphoses are captured through Mulvany’s powerful paintings, which bring together seemingly opposite phenomena, such as appreciation and regret, to reveal exactly how intertwined the constant cycles of transformation are.

4. Wild, Wild Country

Artist: Preetika Rajgariah
Location: Women & Their Work
When to see it: Oct. 5–Nov. 14
What to expect: An exploration of the fine line between appropriation and appreciation. Rajgariah observes the roots of Hinduism, whose tendrils of influence are expressed through sculpture, video, and performance. Her artistic investigation into the wide embrace of yoga throughout the United States calls attention to the spiritual elements of tradition and their place in the formation of modern-day America.

5. Artifacts

Artist: William Hall
Location: Ao5 Gallery
When to see it: Sept. 28–Oct. 27
What to expect: Textured stone castings created with industrial supplies, such as cement and grout. Hall layers his pieces, dolloping fresh, wet materials onto old, dried ones, visibly marking the passage of time through his fossil-like formations. By doing this, Hall reconciles the trendy rawness of cool, gray, industrial design, with the depth found in older, less polished artifacts, giving this exhibit a modern-day take on anthropological findings.

6. Please Press Pause & Where Are We Going

Artists: Julie Pelaez & TBD
Location: Art for the People
When to see it: Oct. 12–Jan. 25
What to expect: Characterized by her vibrant choice of colors and watery alcohol ink medium, Pelaez’s paintings embody the fluidity and shapelessness of what it means to accept the present and relinquish control. With the theme of gratitude, Pelaez’s spirited creations cause viewers to ponder what they value in their lives.

7. Colours of Life: An Indian Perspective

Artist: Shruti Mehta
Location: Asian American Resource Center
When to see it: October 4 – December 14
What to expect: A bold and colorful combination of oils, watercolor, and mixed media, depicting vivid scenes of life in India. With a focus on tradition and nature, Mehta looks back on her enriching experiences as a psychologist, yoga teacher, author, and child growing up in a multigenerational household in Ahmedabad.