Red Waves, egg tempera on calfskin parchment stretched over wood painting by Altoon Sultan is one of the new artworks in Heat of the Moment

Heat of the Moment, a group art exhibition of new artworks by artists represented by McKenzie Fine Art in New York shows the artists individual approach and the direction of their new paintings.

BY KAZAD

NEW YORK, NY– In continuation of its summer tradition, McKenzie Fine Art is hosting an exhibition of new artworks by artists represented by the gallery. Titled Heat of the Moment, the artists whose new artworks will feature prominently in the show include Cathryn Arcomano, Mel Bernstine, Paul Corio, Reed Danziger, Lori Ellison, Chris Gallagher, and James Lecce. Others are Maureen McQuillan, James Nelson, Rob de Oude, Gary Petersen, Jessica Rosner, Altoon Sultan, Don Voisine, Laura Watt, and Laura Sharp Wilson.

The Heat of the Moment features works that have not been previously exhibited.  While some are brand new artworks straight out of the studio, others are pieces from the gallery’s flat files or inventory racks.  The new artworks are mainly painting on canvas, acrylic, and works on paper.  Although all the works are abstract art, they show the artistic style and individual approach of the individual artists.

New Artworks in Heat of the Moment

One artist whose work is bound to captivate viewers is Reed Danziger.  The artist is well known for his paintings with complex intricate designs. Reed’s paintings are layered with design and motifs like arabesques, mandalas, dots, and other ornamental design that transform and give them a global identity. Reed is also a printmaker. The multilayer pattern and decorative motives evident in his painting also pervade his prints. One of the new artworks by the artists in Heat of the Moment is On Distance 6. Using oil, watercolor, and graphite on paper, the artist creates a piece that on one hand takes the viewers into space with all the stars and glorious beauty.  However, away from the cosmic realm, the painting is a reminder of the explosive fireworks that come with the July 4th celebration.   

Paul Corio’s Orchid Party

Paul Corio is another artist showing his new artworks in the Heat of the Moment.  Born in Providence, Rhode Island in 1965, Paul lives and works in New York City. He is also a part-time faculty member at the Parsons School of Design Education. Paul’s works are like jigsaw puzzles waiting for the viewer to complete them.  Sometimes, they are a complex labyrinth that only a genius can navigate.

 Paul Corio’s paintings are specifically about colors. Using a carefully mixed sequence of colors, he creates intricate atmospheric spaces that easily trap the viewer. Some of his vibrant paintings have lyrical illusions that can jolt the brain with vibrant rhythms. Perhaps the lyrical manifestation in some of Paul’s paintings reflects his love of jazz.   

Orchid Party, 2018, is one of the new works by Paul Corio in Heat of the Moment. The acrylic on canvas has different colors combined in a manner that tests the viewer’s visual acuity.  Red, purple, yellow, green, orange and grays navigate dark dizzying crevices before emerging at an indefinable ending that is also a beginning. The arresting colors force the viewer to take a visual walk on solid and stable steps that immediately transform into a wobbly and unstable configuration. Hold on to your hat navigating this beautiful yet mysterious contraption.

Laura Watt: Patterned and Abstract Constructions

Laura Watt is an artist with an amazing color sensitivity that transforms primary forms into visual beauty.  Her works include designs and patterns drawn from different corners of the globe.  A major source of influence for Laura Watt is Yantra—a visual tantric tool for meditation that is composed of precise geometrical forms. Yantras are particularly intriguing in their configuration. Their patterned and abstract constructions are delicately woven to convey symbolic and structural meaning. Laura was captivated by the Yantras years ago that she learned to paint them.  Many of Laura’s paintings continue to be informed not just by the design of Yantras but also their spiritual elements.

Geometry and geometrical patterns form the primary structure of Laura’s work. Her paintings comprise of motifs, patterns, and shapes painted repeatedly. The manifestation of repeated patterns into a captivating design encapsulates a spiritual materialization. That manifestation is evident in Untitled, 2018, oil on canvas with intricately woven lines, motif, and patterns.  Laura Watt draws correlations between her work and sacred visual works that are made as meditation tools. For her, the repetition and patterning engender a link between the maker and the receiver.

Laura Sharp Wilson: Naturalistic and Abstract Forms

Laura Sharp Wilson has made a name for herself as the artist who combines naturalistic and abstract forms to achieve a visually pleasing effect.  In her paintings, Laura Sharp Wilson combines intricate patterns with botanical forms and flattened areas of color to challenge viewers’ receptivity.  Are they realistic or abstract paintings? This is one question viewers are confronted with looking at some of Laura Sharp Wilson’s paintings.  Her works address both intimate personal details of her life and humanity’s relationship with the natural world. Additionally, they reflect her environmental concerns.  The visual elements in Laura Sharp Wilson’s work include layers of shapes and motifs inspired by abstraction, textile design, knot formations, and the natural world.

If you are in New York to see the new works  by artists in Heat of the Moment, share your thoughts with us.