Image: Valerie Fowler, Home in a Transdimensional Universe, 2026
Window Dressing LVII
Valerie Fowler: Leakage
Exhibition Dates: October 26th - November 2nd, 2026
Opening Reception: Friday, October 30th, 7-9 pm
Leakage is an arrangement of artworks and mementos exploring the transient nature of life. The painted three panel screen depicts a forest scene in which a cutaway view of tree roots below the ground is visible. This is one of many paintings in which I’ve depicted what I imagine is a view below the Earth’s surface. My work is increasingly informed by what is not readily visible to the human eye. As always, I’m concerned about our Earth’s limited natural resources and existential vulnerabilities, but I am also, increasingly, fascinated by the idea of conduits that literally weave throughout the Earth’s interior, for instance: water which flows through porous aquifers (and what the water carries); geological seams, developed over millennia that contain precious resources; tunnels built by animals that become their homes; tree roots drilled deep into the land; lacy mycelium networks which facilitate communications between trees and other plant life. And, as I visualize these networks, I am inclined to imagine alternate realities that may or may not co-exist in real time. I think of human messages, thoughts sent to lost loved ones already part of the dust of Earth. This is leakage. The three panel screen is mirrored on its back, depicting an alternate view of the same forest scene, painted in a monochromatic line drawing, as if the view had leaked from one side to the other. Leakage is also the idea that death is a reality that may be porous as well. Perhaps the dead are among us more than we know. Perhaps there are messy and leaky membranes and passageways between life and death, conduits beyond our vision.
The other painting is one by Jack Boynton (1928-2010), a contemporary of my father. It’s a painting I grew up with, and although it’s mostly dark it never frightened me as a child. My imagination concentrated on the vibrant pink which to me indicated a life source. I recently inherited the painting from my mother. Now I see it as a direct through line to my own work. And as this is a time of All Souls and All Saints (and Halloween) it seemed fitting to include this painting and other mementos of loved ones no longer with me, perhaps to conjure a passage of love leaked to an alternate world.
Bio
Valerie Fowler was raised in Houston, Texas. Her father was noted Houston sculptor, Bob Fowler (1931-2010). After graduating from the University of Texas (1985, B.A. in Art) she made Austin her home and has been actively involved in art making and art exhibition for over 40 years. Past work includes murals for Whole Foods Market in Austin, Chicago and Ann Arbor, illustration and layout work for The Texas Observer, illustrations for CD jackets for local musicians, including a fully illustrated, 64 page book that accompanies the CD for "Ivy and the Wicker Suitcase", a musical and audio drama written, recorded and produced by her husband Brian Beattie. She and Beattie produced the full stage production for Austin's Stateside at the Paramount Theater in 2014. In 2016, Fowler held Nature and Other Stories at Austin!s Dougherty Arts Center, a solo exhibit and mid career retrospective, with artworks spanning 2 decades. In 2018 she was chosen by the Texas Book Festival as the official Festival artist. Fowler continues to paint daily and exhibit annually. Both she and her husband maintain studios adjacent to their home.
Exhibition Dates: October 26th - November 2nd, 2026
Artist Reception: Friday, October 30th, 2026, 7-9 pm
Exhibition is viewable 24 hours/day
ICOSA Collective Gallery
916 Springdale Rd, Bldg 2, #102, Austin, TX 78702
www.icosacollective.com
Image: Window Dressing I, Gabel Karsten
About
Window Dressing highlights the work of new members, emerging, local, and underrepresented artists with short-run shows on view while the main gallery is closed for installation. Window Dressing artists will explore the potential of our storefront window space, experimenting with the possibilities of limitation. Exhibitions are on view 24/7 through the gallery’s front glass.
Would you like to apply for a Window Dressing Show?
We are always accepting WD proposals and our committee meets twice a year to determine scheduling.
Selection Process
Your application will be kept on file for one year. Applicants will be made aware that they may be considered for an ICOSA exhibition at any point for one year following the submission of their application.
How to Apply
Please email the following to info@icosacolective.com with “Window Dressing Proposal” in the title:
Proposal
CV
Portfolio website URL
Three images of your work
*Incomplete applications will not be considered
Questions?
Contact us at info@icosacollective.com