Opening Night: “While We Were Away” at 941Geary

Artist Ferris Plock, Photographer Colin Day and the show’s curator, Tova Lobatz

Last Saturday, San Francisco’s 941Geary opened an eclectic group show that touched on personal subjects while apprehending globalization. Curated by Tova Lobatz, “While We Were Away” features artists discovered on the curator’s travels and is a testament to the global art community’s interconnectedness. From the Op Art-influenced portraiture of Italian stencil art pioneers Sten Lex to Vhils’ intricate reflections of urban life (featured in HF Vol. 23) to Miss Van‘s dark renderings of seduction (HF Vol. 15), the show features impressive original pieces from a wide range of international artists. Open suitcases are displayed throughout the gallery filled with mementos and historical tidbits — stencils, train tickets, pamphlets — some of the artists collected while traveling. Take a look at our exclusive opening night photos below.

The complete line-up of artists includes Miss Van (France), Amanda Marie (US), How and Nosm (Germany), Poesia (US), Sten Lex (Italy), Scott Shannon (US), Vhils (Portugal), Jaybo Monk (France), Hebru Brantley (US), Julio Pardo (Spain), and Chanoir (Columbia). The show runs through March 2.