Two Desert Shows at El Paso Museum of Art: Overstreet and Davidoff

At the El Paso Museum of Art, two exhibitions highlight the Southwestern desert: 'Desert Rinpa' by Mitsumasa Overstreet and 'Suzi Davidoff: Wander.' Overstreet, utilizing the 17th-century Rinpa style from Kyoto, creates expansive panels depicting Chihuahuan Desert vegetation, employing techniques such as tarashikomi (ink puddling) and metallic leaf backgrounds. His artwork showcases yucca flowers and desert plants on reflective surfaces. Meanwhile, Davidoff's exhibition, which spans nearly 35 years (1991 to present), features around 100 pieces, including drawings, prints, animations, and installations crafted from dirt, clay, and plant materials collected during her walks. Her 'Elegy–Madera Canyon' series incorporates charcoal from a 2011 wildfire in the Davis Mountains. 'Desert Rinpa' is available until June 14, 2026, and 'Wander' until June 28, 2026. This article received support from the Rabkin Foundation Travel Grant.