Hofmanns' Placitas Exhibit Reflects a Lifetime in Art

Wild Hearts Gallery's new exhibition pairs the paintings of Karl Hofmann with pottery by his wife, Mary, presenting a joint artistic journey that began more than 65 years ago. The exhibit centers on Karl's work inspired by childhood memories of World War II Germany and Mary's functional pottery, now incorporating new shapes and colors. The gallery is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday; admission is free. Wild Hearts Gallery is at 221-B New Mexico Highway 165 in Placitas.

Karl Hofmann said of his practice, "I basically do paintings which represent significant memories and events that happened to me." Many of the paintings in this show rely on recollection rather than direct observation. "I prefer to paint from memory rather than looking at objects and things," Karl Hofmann said. "Because a memory, in a way, sorts out and leaves out irrelevant items, so you get a much clearer image and picture of what you're trying to say." He described artistic clarity as a process of elimination and linked his work to life review: "You get sort of a clear picture of your past, and who you are," Karl Hofmann said. "That has to do with getting old too, I think, when you're 90, (you) sort of recollect and try to make sense of what you're all about."

Mary and Karl met in art school and shared the same professors and training, a continuity Mary says shapes their dialogue and practice. "It's nice to be able to talk (about) our ideas and struggles with art together," Mary Hofmann said, "having the same background and having done it together for so many years." Mary described her pottery's evolution: "I'm going to have some new shapes." She added a broader observation on style shifts over decades: "We came of age during the height of abstract expressionism. In some ways, it has gotten more realistic."

For Sandoval County, the exhibit is both cultural and economic: small galleries attract visitors who often spend at nearby restaurants and shops, and free admission lowers barriers for families and seniors to participate in local arts. The Hofmanns' work, rooted in lived experience, provides educational value for schools and civic groups interested in wartime history and visual memory. The show offers residents a rare local opportunity to see how long-term artistic partnerships evolve and to support a community institution that helps sustain Placitas' cultural economy.

The exhibition will remain on display through Feb. 1, 2026, during the gallery's posted hours; admission is free.