The exhibition is her first solo show with the gallery, although her work was featured in last summer’s group show, 'Alterations'. The exhibition contains a series of abstract paintings called 'Night Paintings', nearly all small-scale works. These densely worked images consist of repeated circular forms enclosing spiraling lines that are accented by small dots of contrasting color. The centrifugal, explosive compositional structures of the works combined with a vibrant palate produce op-like shifts and contrasts.
James Graham & Sons is pleased to announce an exhibition of new paintings and
drawings by Barbara Takenaga.
The exhibition is her first solo show with the
gallery, although her work was featured in last summer’s group show,
"Alterations".
The exhibition contains a series of abstract paintings called "Night
Paintings",
nearly all small-scale works.
These densely worked images consist of repeated
circular forms enclosing spiraling lines that are accented by small dots of
contrasting color.
The centrifugal, explosive compositional structures of the
works
combined with a vibrant palate produce op-like shifts and contrasts.
The
small,
circular elements suggest tiny spiraling Tibetan wheels of life, hairy
rosettes, or
references to 60's psychedelia.
Based upon a recurring childhood dream of the
artist’s, the paintings are creation and, by implication, death images: many
small
elements become one with, or break apart from, the whole.
For Takenaga, the
paintings are primal and yet slightly goofy representations that revise a
child's fear
into an adult's optimism and reconciliation.
Also in the exhibition are a series of drawings in gouache and ink.
Begun as
doodles, they are essentially a more light-hearted/handed treatment of the
same
ideas found in the paintings, and are more whimsical and cartoonish in their
approach.
In these drawings Takenaga moves toward representation and
narrative.
For example, references to a bridal veil, a Louise Bourgeoise sculpture, or
sprawling, beaded jewelry gone awry appear in the work.
James Graham & Sons
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New York
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