[ visual art ]
The unbelievable story goes like this: In 2000, Costa Rican artist Federico Herrero was 22 years old, and hanging his paintings on trees. Just a year later, he snagged a best young artist award at the Venice Biennale. Herrero, now one of the most popular contemporary artists in Latin America, is bringing his bright-eyed, bushy-tailed abstracts to the newly-renovated Bridgette Mayer Gallery. His works are playful and childlike, like Paul Klee's paintings. But it's his bright colors, which are drawn from tropical plants, rural houses and traffic signs, that are just plain scrumptious.
Opening reception Fri., Feb. 3, 6-8:30 p.m., free, through Feb. 25, Bridgette Mayer Gallery, 709 Walnut St., 215-413-8893, bridgettemayergallery.com.
