Sat 11/29 @ 5-9PM

Joanie Deveney, familiarly known as Joan of Art, is a longtime fixture in the local art scene with her freewheeling work that ranges from painting and photography to installations and conceptual art. She’s one of the artists associated with Tremont’s Doubting Thomas Gallery, a venue exceptionally friendly to such open-ended creators.

But she’ll have lots of new work to show at her upcoming solo show Fragile/Handle With Care, opening at Negative Space Gallery at Asia Town Center this Saturday November 29.

The show combines her photo and painting practices, with portraits of friends, strangers, pets, objects and more that she’s turned into what she calls “an exaggerated painting” with the show’s title. She says it’s a concept she’s been thinking about for years since she worked in a label factory and reflected that a “fragile” label could be applied to humanity and much more. She also invited the subjects of her portraits to title them.

The opening reception will include an open mic for poets and musicians, a performance by musician/storyteller Salane Salane and refreshments including cake. The show runs through December. Go here for info.