NinaJohnson

From Tony Chirinos’s stunning photography to Homework’s new home in Little River, don’t miss these art exhibits this month.

By Douglas Markowitz

Last weekend marked the third running of the Miami Grand Prix, and believe it or not, there was art there — not all of it good.

Aside from a gallery wall of terrible pop-art paintings hung in the Paddock area, the most notable artwork at the Miami International Autodrome was a newly unveiled mural of legendary driver Ayrton Senna by fellow Brazilian Kobra. The photorealistic portrait of the helmeted driver featured the artist’s trademark mosaic style in the form of multicolor diamonds all over the visible parts of Senna’s skin. Kobra also depicts the Formula 1 champion making prayer hands, an unsubtle reference to Senna’s devout Catholicism that somewhat undercuts the piece’s gravitas — not that I’m expecting anything too sophisticated from a stadium mural.

If you wanted to see real masterpieces of form and function at the Grand Prix, all you had to do was look at the cars. I’m not just talking about the ones on the track, although they are pretty marvelous to behold. There were also quite a few classic sports cars on display around campus, courtesy of the various teams and the auction house Bonhams, which hosted a sale at the track on Saturday evening. These included some seriously impressive and expensive pieces of automotive design: a 2003 Aston Martin DB7 Zagato that looks like James Bond might’ve driven it (sold for $168,000), a 1999 Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R straight out of Tokyo Drift (sold for $392,000 including premium), and a stunning 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL with gull-wing doors (sold for $1.6 million including premium). Some cars that didn’t sell include a menacing 2012 Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport with only 12,400 miles — yours for the bargain-bin price of $1.6 million.

None of the best art shows in Miami this month feature anything quite that expensive, although a few works from the de la Cruz Collection will be auctioned by Christie’s on May 14 and 17 — you can see them here. Maybe a generous person will buy these lovely works and donate them to a local museum. In the meantime, here are the best art exhibits to see in Miami in May.

Unless otherwise noted, all listed events are free to attend and open to the public.

Jonathan Rajewski and Jasmine Little at Nina Johnson

Another duo of artists will open separate shows on Thursday, May 23, at Nina Johnson in Little Haiti. In “Together Apart,” Michigan-raised artist Jonathan Rajewski excavates his hometown of Midland’s history of chemical weapons manufacture with a series of canvases, collages, and artist books incorporating found imagery. Meanwhile, Los Angeles-based ceramicist Jasmine Little will explore art history, including classical Greek pottery, with her show “The Olive Garden.” Opening Thursday, May 23, at Nina Johnson, 6315 NW Second Ave., Miami; 305-571-2288; ninajohnson.com.

Read the full article on Miami New Times.