Art Relish

In “Moving Pictures,” artist Lauren Adams uses abstracted forms distilled from nature in order to blur the line between real and unreal, attraction and repulsion, interior and exterior. Adams’ ambiguous paintings present a surreal, allusive world to the viewer. The aim of the work is to place the viewer in a sort of psychological limbo, uncertain of the identity of the various elements at play, but captivated nonetheless.

Working primarily in acrylic and oil on canvas, Adams’ work is distinctive for its bold use of color and form. Her work combines figurative and abstract elements to create mysterious, hybrid spaces.

Lauren Adams is an Atlanta based artist. Her recent work reflects the culmination of two years’ work as a SCAD-Atlanta painting MFA candidate.

Through May 30.

Ibis Gallery
1915 Bragg Street
Atlanta, GA 30341

On Saturday, April 28, 2012 from 7-10 p.m., James K. Holder Studio and Gallery will host a one night only introductory exhibition of work by Atlanta artist Michael Peterson.

A native of Tampa, Florida, Michael Peterson is a graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology where he majored in Business Management and was a popular star athlete in the football program. An athlete whose creativity turned from the gridiron to the art studio, Peterson began his artistic career working with homeless artists in a studio at the Metro Atlanta Task Force for the Homeless. He was mentored by homeless artists as well as local artist Todd Murphy. Peterson is now pursuing painting at Savannah College of Art & Design and works out of his own studio in Midtown Atlanta.

Peterson has developed an impressive body of mixed-media neo-expressionist abstract painting. Influenced by Basquiat, Bailey and local artist Michi, his colorful urban aesthetic depicts his observations of physical and creative exploitation in American society. Be the first to see Peterson’s new work and meet the artist on Saturday, April 28th. Catering provided by Pat’s Party Perfect.

James K. Holder Studio and Gallery
291 Peters St.
Atlanta, GA 30313

{Poem88} presents “Living Color Redux,” a second look at the formal aspects of color expressed in the work of David D’Agostino, Ryan Coleman, InkYoung Chun, Helen Ferguson Crawford, Ryan Nabulsi, and Drew Tyndell.

In both non-objective and representational works, these artists rely on the relationships of color and form in vibrant, luscious, meditative and even mysterious ways. While many of the artists may initiate the work as an exploration of landscape, there appears to be a kind of organic devolution into something entirely without form or only loosely hinting at form.

And the opposite holds true: there seems to be a desire to attach a physical form onto works that are entirely abstract to bring them into the realm of human experience. Each artist uses their own strategy to arrive at their unique balance between luminosity and chroma through assorted media including assemblage, camera-less photography and more straightforward painting.

Through July 28.

Artist talks: Saturday, June 16 and Saturday, July 21.

{Poem88}
1170 Howell Mill Rd., Suite A03
Atlanta, GA 30318