More Paintings from New York

Here are a few more responses to things I found in Chelsea last weekend...

Jennifer Coates at Kinz, Tillou + Feigen

Coates paintings hover between landscape and psychedelic vision. The large paintings combine the illusion of ambiguous atmospheric space with clusters of geometric patterns that float near the middle of the canvases. I was drawn to several of the darker paintings, with less solidified forms. Each painting warranted several minutes and a few a second look. The exhibition was supposed to close on October 18, but was still on view on October 24.

Tamar Zinn at Kathryn Markel Fine Arts
"Arabesque"

Zinn's abstract canvases are evoke an ambiguous sense of space and utilize a pleasant warm palette that draws the viewer in. There is a subtle play in depth, the paintings never quite identify themselves as distant aerial view, abstracted city scape or pure non-objective painted surface. Reproduction of the works does little to entice someone to go see the paintings, as the subject matter seems less than unique, yet the physical presence of the actual paintings engages the viewer unexpectedly, it becomes obvious the artist truly knows the subject (dusty street, oasis, palace garden?). Every small bit of texture activates the space, each small mark seeming intentional and essential to the larger shapes in the composition. The paintings are rich, yet nothing is extraneous. The exhibition is on view through November 8.

Xiaoze Xie at Charles Cowles Gallery
"Acts and Scenes 2001-2007"

Xiaoze Xie has created a powerful group of exquisitely crafted paintings that depict meetings and conversations among political leaders from the time period. The paintings are based on photographs that were published by major news outlets throughout the world. The players and scenes are recognizable. The moments' intensity made more powerful through the blurred brushy edges reminiscent of some of Gerhard Richter's politically motivated representational paintings. The monochromatic cool color schemes give the images a cold hard realism that could only come from a disturbing memory. These are powerful paintings. A suite of beautiful ink wash drawings of American soldiers interacting with groups of apparently Iraqi civilians compliment the exhibition perfectly. Xie's craftsmanship again is excellent and his presentation superb. The exhibition is on view through November 8.

I hope to get a few more of my reactions to the shows up in the next few days, but I need to get to bed so I can have the energy to get some work done in my own studio after work tomorrow.