by William Moreno

Through May 6
Craft Contemporary
5814 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036

Textile art has not always been one of my favorite mediums – but O’Arwister’s exhibit altered my thinking. At a time where being Black and Queer, and any semblance of DEI seems fraught – the artist has come out swinging. The thoughtfully curated show is simultaneously prickly and assuaging – with small sculptures composed of black zip-ties, leather, clamps, and BDSM erotic accruements. But the expansive wall fabric installations are the arresting showstoppers here – a full-on exhortation of materiality, beauty and reconciliation. More please.