Through April 25

Art Ecology
224 S. Clay St.
www.artecologyllc.com

Where Vincent Van Gogh’s self-portraits reflected his turbulent life, Nick Owens’s self-portraits reflect the contention he sees in the world. Owens’s show “Predicate” at Art Ecology is a recipe of his experiences and reactions, each one a reflection of himself. The bright, colorful paintings draw the viewer in, enjoying scenes dotted with furry bears and flitting birds. But the bears are often toting guns, wearing fatigues and sending messages about conflicts in our world. His influences of comic books and pop culture, with a strong dose of a political family, are echoed in his style. The implications he makes are not to convince, but are presented to allow the viewer to laugh, express anger or simply enjoy the aesthetics of his work. —Erica Lawson