Hoodline El Paso ~ LUSTER Exhibit Revs Up at Las Cruces Museum of Art

Prepare to feast your eyes on the sleekest and most meticulously crafted depictions of motorized beauty, as the Las Cruces Museum of Art gears up to present “LUSTER: Realism and Hyperrealism in Contemporary Automobile and Motorcycle Painting.” This national-touring exhibit, opening on May 23, will showcase the talents of leading realist and hyperrealist artists who have a penchant for capturing the essence of automobiles and motorcycles on canvas.

A diverse collection of over 55 paintings by nearly 15 artists will be on display through August 16, according to the City of Las Cruces. Visitors are invited to delve into the world of vintage classics and contemporary motor vehicles during the museum’s regular hours, which include an artists’ reception slated for the evening of June 6. With no admission fee, this event is an open invitation to all enthusiasts of the genre.

The June reception promises an intimate encounter with the featured artists, complete with an artist talk where guests can listen to the creatives divulge details on their inspirations and artistic processes.

These insights, revealed at a 6 p.m. talk, provide a rare window into the meticulous nature of this artistic niche.

Artistic representations of cars and motorcycles have long embedded themselves in American pop culture, etching their influence on various art forms since the birth of photorealism in the 1960s.

“LUSTER” extends this tradition, with works by notable artists such as A.D. Cook, Allan Gorman, and Guenevere “Moto Painter” Schwien, featured in the exhibit.

Their craftsmanship is touted as a continuation of the first wave of photorealists from the past century.

With the curation and oversight of David J. Wagner, Ph.D., the exhibition presents a cross-section of today’s finest in the field of automotive art. For those with an affinity for the allure of glossy paint jobs and the geometrical precision of industrial design, the Las Cruces Museum of Art is the place to be this summer. Make sure you swing by 491 N. Main St., or hop on Roadrunner Transit Route 1, Stop 1, to catch a glimpse of these masterpieces before they speed off at the end of the exhibit.