Portland-based octogenarian Arvie Smith isn’t showing signs of slowing down anytime soon. In this suite of new paintings, Smith takes on “what’s going on in the world, the things I’m concerned about,” as he said during the VIP benefit. This showing at the Art Show is his first in more than 30 years; his mentor at MICA, artist Grace Hartigan, organized the last presentation of his art, in 1992. Among his concerns, he said, are “my future, the future of the world, the future of Black people.” In the booth’s center is Black Athena (2023), a dense composition that features Donald Trump dressed as McDonald’s Hamburglar, seen behind the titular Black Athena, mounted on horse; in the right corner is Supreme Court justice Clarence Thomas holding a back of money.
