Early Rubens, Alicia McCarthy

Episode No. 395 features curator Kirk Nickel and artist Alicia McCarthy.

The Legion of Honor in San Francisco is presenting "Early Rubens," an examination of the first phase of Rubens's career. With about 30 paintings and 20 drawings, the exhibition examines work Rubens made from 1609, when he was in his early 30s, until 1621. It was curated by National Gallery of Canada director Sasha Suda, and this week's guest, Kirk Nickel of the Legion of Honor. The exhibition is on view in San Francisco through September 8, when it will travel to the Art Gallery of Ontario (where Suda was previously the curator of European art). The excellent exhibition catalogue was published by Delmonico Prestel. Amazon offers it for just $31.

On the second segment, Alicia McCarthy discusses "Alicia McCarthy: No Straight Lines," a major commissioned mural at the Wexner Center for the Arts in Columbus, Ohio. The exhibition was curated by Lucy I. Zimmerman and will be on view through August 1. The Oakland-based McCarthy was the winner of the 2017 SFMOMA SECA Award. Her recent projects have included a 2018 show at the Berkeley Art Museum with Ruby Neri and a building-side mural in downtown San Francisco.