Sam Jablon's text paintings create visual-verbal tension in 'Luck or Else' exhibition at Morgan Presents

Sam Jablon's exhibition 'Luck or Else' at Morgan Presents features oil paintings that blend text and image, creating what critic William Corwin describes as 'delicious sentient confusion.' The works, all dated 2026, range from small 10x8 inch pieces to large 90x80 inch canvases, with titles like 'Fuck,' 'Luck,' 'Chaos,' 'Blessed,' 'New Day,' 'Oy Vey,' 'Mischief,' and 'Easy Lover.' Jablon's approach differs from conceptual artists like Richard Prince, Christopher Wool, or Tracey Emin, emerging instead from his stream-of-consciousness poetry. The paintings manipulate letter forms as both phonemes and objects, with layered paint causing figures to float lightly. Color choices create distinct moods: 'Blessed' uses white text on Renaissance fresco blue for heavenly effect, while 'Chaos' employs light blue letters on vermillion with dark blue streaks suggesting hellishness. Larger works appear singly on gallery walls except for 'Mischief' and 'Chaos,' which hang together possibly indicating causation. A wall of smaller paintings functions chorally, though more spacing might enhance viewing. Jablon's aesthetic rigor balances form and content, avoiding twee glorification of initials. The exhibition runs through April 21, 2026, at 537 West 27th Street in New York.