Two shows
dal 20/10/2006 al 24/11/2006
Segnalato da
20/10/2006
Two shows
Mandarin Gallery, Los Angeles
James Hayward returns to the chromachord: equal amounts of four pure colors, blended onto the surface of the canvas, until a fifth, "unknown" color, is achieved - the chromachord. Fields by Carolee Toon. In this satellite exhibit, layers of paint are applied to birch wood.
Absence/ Presence. Paintings by: James Hayward + Carolee Toon. Fields.
For this exhibition, Hayward returns to the chromachord: equal amounts of four pure colors, blended onto the surface of the canvas, until a fifth, “unknown" color, is achieved - the chromachord. Between 1998 and 2001, Hayward created 100 small (13 7/8" x 10 3/8") paintings in this manner. Few, if any, achieved his intended goal - the unknown monochrome. Time and time again his eye, and mind, became seduced by the raw beauty of image-free color. He excuses their excesses, "because they were small, they got away with murder."
Hayward returned to this idea determined to push these new paintings through to the elusive unknown monochrome. However, self-admittedly, he failed, pulling short of his goal and of achieving his intellectually-stated mission.
Romance conquered reason. In the mishap of his passion these ‘failings’ took on a life of their own. The beauty of the paint in its transitory state overshadowed his intellectual intent: "these are simply the best failed paintings I’ve ever done." The degree to which the paintings “fail" vary on how rigorous Hayward chose to be. In some cases, it’s only upon an intimate viewing that the colors reveal themselves as distinct.
Hayward unequivocally loves paint - pure paint, and all that it can do and embody. This body of work is open-ended, as Hayward continues this pursuit. In the mean time, we offer Absence/ Presence. Enjoy!
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Concurrently, there is an adjacent exhibition of paintings entitled “Fields", by Carolee Toon (suite #212). In this satellite exhibit, layers of paint are applied to birch wood. The surface is flat and minimal, yet rich. Like embers, there is a quiet intensity to these paintings. The surface remains extremely delicate, a powdery, matt softness which absorbs light, and the viewer’s eye, allowing for a meditative, contemplative experience.
Toon’s paintings tackle what language can’t. Through the rigor of her material choices and more specifically, how they interact, the presence of the artist falls away. The result is something so seamless it might be found in nature. But instead, it seems, a part of nature is brought to the wall for our reflection. A subtle collection we are thankful and proud to exhibit.
Opening Reception: Saturday, October 21st, 6-8 pm
Mandarin Gallery
970 North Broadway Suite 212 and Suite 213 - Los Angeles
Public Hours, Wednesday - Saturday, 1- 6 p.m. and by appointment