A Line By Any Other Name (Would Look as Sweet)
Approaches to figurative and formal representation vary from one artist to the next, as well as within an artist’s own oeuvre, ranging from abstraction to figuration, with formal, compositional and conceptual considerations. One common aspect of all formal approaches is the formal element of the line: the sinuous curve or linear direction that guides the movement of the piece. Whether represented through paint on a canvas or constructed of metal, it is one of the most intrinsic properties of a work of art. Using divergent forms of display, artists Anthony Hunter, Adriana Oliver, and Matt Devine's works compliment one another in color, form, and in their parallel explorations of linear gesture.
Installation view, LINEAGE, JoAnne Artman Gallery, New York.
Presenting works in which line and background are fused, giving greater significance to the space between lines, Anthony Hunter’s evocative abstract paintings are a study in controlled chaos. Contained within a luscious, glossed surface quality, his works exhibit a color-field sensibility punctuated by a lively, lyrical composition of lines, blobs, drips and drizzles that create a defined sense of movement and action. Hunter’s varying forms and lines become protagonists in an action-landscape while seemingly incidental moments of captivating beauty provide ample room for exploration of theme.
Brimming with drama and intensity, Oliver’s unusual portraits tell the intimacies of her figures’ relationship while remaining intentionally coy. In her use of hue, intensity and value, the works attain depth and resonance, striking a perfect balance between message and form. Merging form and content, her linear constructions exemplify the expressive potential of line while leaving the viewer to decipher each scene.
Installation view, LINEAGE, JoAnne Artman Gallery, New York.
Echoes of a line drawing are almost imperceptible in the piece, as Devine creates a woven, organic network of aluminum strips, imbuing a sense of dimension and weight through tight folds and gently sloped curves. With a background in fabrication, Devine’s fluid forms and svelte steel sculptures explore the potential of the industrial material. Preferring to use a primary palette, Devine focuses on flow and form within his work, working with the line to guide the composition and line of sight.
Installation view, LINEAGE, JoAnne Artman Gallery, New York.
Addressing the fundamental component of the line within artistic composition, LINEAGE explores the possibilities of perspective, volume, and interaction of planes. Suggesting the line as both a fluid material and conceptual device, these artists highlight their ability to create works that uniquely define the space around them.
