Six Painters: Andrew Chesler, Erick Johnson, Pierre Obando, Jennifer Riley, Russell Roberts & Lisa Stefanelli

Heskin Contemporary presents: “Abstract Gambol” February 2-March 3 2012. A reception for the artists 6 -9 pm on Thursday, February 9th.

Abstract Gambol is a painting exhibition that includes the works of six painters whose divergent approaches in both concept and technique reflects a richness of possibility at work in abstraction today. In mediums of oil, gouache, acrylic and enamel, these six artists, each in their own way, respond to change, flux, disruption, beauty, nature- that is the world we inhabit. Their divergent approaches are reflected in works that pull strands from abstract painting’s history to extend and develop fresh ideas and painting experiences.

Andrew Chesler’s abstractions-meditations on the pervasiveness of technology-are allegories of a future world inhabited by forms that serve as stand-ins for living beings.

Erick Johnson’s color saturated canvases, are geometric explorations. His use of color is imbued with an improvisational quality through surface textures that occur during the process create a rare and specific vitality.

In Pierre Obando’s paintings, the artist creates form out of abstract randomness using a variety of prefabricated or commercial patterned materials. Within a struggle for coherence He makes patterns and beauty within apparent disarray.

Jennifer Riley’s work is a geometric approach to gestural abstraction based in color, line and plane. Her large-scale works are analytical responses to small pastel drawings she refers to as “intuitive, gestural- drawing attacks.”

Russell Roberts collides biomorphic with geometric shapes. He articulates stretches of canvas with an expansive range of unpredictable and constantly surprising color.

Lisa Stefanelli’s paintings are flowing line-thought shapes that articulate a state of sustained exhilaration, frozen in space but constantly moving.

GALLERY HOURS: WEDNESDAY – SATURDAY12 PM – 6 PM OR BY APPOINTMENT