Birth of the Cool.

Or so to speak.

Barkley L. Hendricks presents "Birth of the Cool" at the Contemporary Arts museum Houston.

The exhibit consists of realistic, life-size portraits that Hendricks has created over the years of his sophisticated African-American friends and neighbors [we're so cool]. Created between 1964 and the present, they're nuanced portrayals of "cool" people, often superbly dressed in timely fashion. The Philadelphia-born, Connecticut-based artist isn't overtly political, but the portraits are powerful nonetheless for the historical black archetypes they evoke: the civil rights warrior, the Shaft-like urban hero, the disco lover. It's enough to make Miles Davis jealous. *two snaps*

Regular viewing hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursdays, noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. Through April 18. 5216 Montrose. For information, call 713-284-8250 or visit www.camh.org. Free.
courtesy of julia ramey@FPH