Reviews

“Temperate Grasslands” at Big Medium

“Experiencing the exhibit reminds one of nature’s ability to refresh the mind and soothe. The act of observing living beings, views of the sky, grassy hills, and leaves on trees has a healing quality. What separates the show from actually walking in the park is the ability to witness nature’s revitalizing beauty through the eyes of artists with inventive perspectives.”

— MEHER QAZILBASH, Austin Chronicle

“We’re in that liminal space of summer, where life is lush and blooming, right before it succumbs to death by heat. Big Medium’s curator Coka Treviño has collected an exhibit full of garden scenes representing that magical explosion of garden growth. In her own words, it’s a way “to forget how heavy it feels to be a human.” There’s constant discovery in the wide variety of works, from dozens of artists like the established Dawn Okoro and up-and-comers MuthaGoose. Join the opening reception this Friday to view interpretations of glorious greenery.”   – Cat McCarrey, Austin Chronicle

Texas Biennial: “The Last Sky: Thermals and Thresholds”

“This show, by turns tender and tendentious, offers the reclamation and re-presentation of materials and spaces as an address to destruction, work that investigates the “architecture” of the disasters of nationalism, of overproduction, and the cataclysms lost in deep time.”

— Ronnie Yates January 26, 2025

Chisme

In this conversation, Coka, who continues her own curatorial work via her company The Projecto, reflects on her tenure at Big Medium and the complex web of challenges that led to its sudden closure. From shifts in city grantmaking priorities to the skyrocketing cost of living that made staffing nearly impossible, the interview offers a candid window into just how difficult it has become for arts organizations — even in culturally rich, economically booming cities like Austin — to maintain operations. 

Listen to the interview on Apple, Spotify, or your listening platform of choice. Captioned interviews are available on YouTube.

by Pier Carlo Talenti for the Thomas S. Kenan Institute for the Arts.

Ms. Treviño told Glasstire, “I’ve loved being part of Big Medium and serving my community, but after a few hard years I’m ready to be more intentional and thoughtful about my work, so I’m eager to take some time off to rest and continue with other projects…”

Coka Treviño Opens The Projecto Gallery, a New Space in Austin