Asylum granted

There are no white coats here, only white walls embellished with art. This is the Asylum Gallery, part of the new HQ cooperative-arts space at 25th and R streets. The Asylum’s inaugural show, up until May 1, features huge paintings by Terri Ramirez. Close up, the fractionated, organic shapes—like Cubism sans the hard edges—are thick with paint, like the frosting your mom used to make. From the other side of the gallery, you can see the shapes are equine subjects. Art Luna’s color print “Del Largo #3” offers a dynamic neon-light play of a figure uncannily like an electrified Burning Man. Carrie Markel’s acrylic of the Mexican temple ruins of Tulum against the unmistakable hue of the Caribbean sea is easily recognizable. Framed by a plaster border infused with Mayan symbolism, it translates into a very personal snapshot—where we all want to be. For more information, call (916) 922-3012.