DARKE gallery: Heather Bause's February exhibition, The Stanford-Binet: The Modern Authority on Identifying Intellectually Deficient Children, Feb. 3 - March 10, 2012

DARKE | gallery is pleased to announce Heather Bause's February exhibition, The Stanford-Binet: The Modern Authority on Identifying Intellectually Deficient Children. The opening reception is Friday, February 3 from 6-9 PM; refreshments and valet parking will be provided. The exhibition continues through March 10.

By focusing on line, form and color, Bause's latest series of paintings are large-scale works on canvas, based on the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Test Picture cards. These hardedge replica paintings highlight children's innocence and nostalgic beauty, underscored by a desire to maintain control. Drawing inspiration from the published classic 1937 Houghton-Mifflin Company plates, Bause meticulously paints the IQ test materials in perfect precision, against retro palette backgrounds using acrylic and enamel on canvas. Reminiscent of psychological perfection in its subject and simplicity, the images are too precise to suggest serenity, yet are not exactly identical to the originals - rather, tension spirals out from these images. These pieces ask us to consider what the expectation of the viewer should be: they exist in an impossibly beautiful world.

Bause received her Bachelor Fine Arts from the University of Houston and attended Cranbrook School of Art, Bloomfield Hills, MI, before moving to Germany. Now back in Houston, Bause has exhibited in the The BIG Show, 2011 Lawndale Art & Performance Center, Houston, TX as well as Bering and James Gallery and Box 13 exhibitions. Her installation, If you sprinkle when you tinkle, can currently be seen at the Art League of Houston, Houston, TX.

Now in its fifth year, DARKE | gallery exhibits contemporary art of the finest quality, with a focus on emerging and established artists with Texas ties. Located at 320 B Detering @ Feagan, the gallery is open noon to 5:00 p.m., Wednesday through Friday and Saturday noon to 3:00, and by appointment. For more information call 713-542-3802 or visit www.darkegallery.com.