De Young Exhibit Captures the Beauty and Contradictions of Tamara de Lempicka

Despite the sleekness and sensuality of her strongest work, there’s no tidy way to tell Tamara de Lempicka’s story. The de Young does an excellent job of capturing the contradictions and mess, right alongside the utter beauty. This one is not to be missed. ‘Tamara de Lempicka’ is on view at the de …

Rebel Girls: The Transgender Topless Dancer Who Went to War with Prison Authorities

It never mattered who she was up against, Vicki “Starr” Fernandez was always ready to fight for equal treatment, no matter the venue.

Barry McGee Enters a New Era with SF "Old Mystified" Show

Barry McGee’s “Old Mystified” is on view through November 7 at Berggruen Gallery in San Francisco.

How is Armistead Maupin Connected to the Zodiac Killer Case?

In July 1978, nine years after the Zodiac Killer first struck, one of the most prominent homicide cops working the case was suddenly removed from his post. By that time, Inspector David R. Toschi — who had been on the case since day one — is said to have interviewed 5,000 people and examined more t…

Rebel Girls: The San Francisco Couple Whose Lifelong Love Changed America

It would be a gross understatement to say that Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon’s love, and their willingness to speak openly and often about it, impacted America’s view of same-sex unions. The couple spent their whole lives putting themselves in the spotlight — and sometimes grave danger — to raise awa…

Two Artists Answer the ‘Call of the Void’ with Lime-Hued Paintings

In the San Francisco gallery 1599fdT, a two-person show titled Call of the Void is an eerie meditation on the color green.Painters Laura Rokas and Erik Bender are working with material that is less brat, more lime Jell-O, with flashes of green reminiscent of the 1979 film Alien. Call of the Void is…

Remember the Life and Music of Kris Kristofferson at Events Around the Bay

If you want to celebrate the life and music of Kris Kristofferson with other admirers, there are two ways to do so this month. 

Step Inside Painter Gina Contreras' World with 'Amor Secreto'

A version of San Francisco painter Gina M. Contreras is present in every single one of her paintings. ‘Amor Secreto’ is on view at Hashimoto through September 28.

Artist Nicki Green's New Show Finds a Home Between Binary Spaces

Artist Nicki Green was a longtime Bay Area resident before she left to teach. So her newest show at San Francisco’s Contemporary Jewish Museum is a homecoming of sorts. The show, ‘Firmament’ is about finding a home between binary spaces. ‘Nicki Green: Firmament’ is up at the Contemporary Jewish Mus…

Sarah Cain’s ‘Quiet Riot’ Covers a Mill Valley Gallery in Curves of Color

Mill Valley is not a typical destination for contemporary art, but neither does it seem like a totally unexpected place to find a gallery. Maybe it all depends on where you’re coming from. For locals, it makes perfect sense to stop by Anthony Meier’s gallery on the leafy, pedestrian-friendly block …