MARFA — Memories Past and Present, a solo exhibition by artist Lisa Matta, an El Paso local artist, will open at Greasewood Gallery on August 29 with a reception from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The gallery is located inside the Hotel Paisano, 207 Highland Ave.
On view through September 27, 2025, the exhibition features a series of works inspired by the architectural landmarks of Marfa. Drawing on her deep personal connection to the town — where generations of her family lived and continue to live — Matta’s paintings bridge memory and place honoring the rich character of Marfa’s West Texas environment while reflecting on the stories they hold.
Matta’s collection beautifully captures the spirit and character of Marfa through vivid and thoughtfully composed scenes. The use of color is particularly striking, infusing each piece with warmth and life, which invites the viewers to feel connected to the locations. The balance between architectural precision and painterly texture works well to maintain interest and convey atmosphere without becoming overly detailed or static.
Each art piece is a vivid and affectionate tribute to Marfa and a generational family. Matta works full time out of her studio in El Paso and creates a painterly and loose style while achieving a realistic look in her paintings. She is known for her luminous and richly colored landscapes of the El Paso area, Arizona, New Mexico and various scenes of missions, adobes and cacti that capture her imagination.
Her style caught the attention of numerous buyers, and she has exhibited in numerous juried competitions and local museums in El Paso. She is represented by galleries in El Paso and Tubac, Arizona, and is a member of the El Paso Plein Air Painters.
“My best work occurs when I allow myself to be in the painting,” Matta says. “There is an energy that comes out of you that connects you to a deeper place.”