David Storey's 2004 Exhibition at CUE Art Foundation Showcases Formalist Paintings with Private Symbolism

David Storey's exhibition at CUE Art Foundation in New York from January 29 to March 6, 2004, featured his formalist paintings that avoid monotony through inventive, private symbols. His works, such as "The Age of Brass" (2003), utilize shapes like ovals and squares in a mosaic-like composition, with black lines outlining colors to create complex pictorial spaces. Storey's imagery includes recognizable forms like horses and owls, yet his focus remains on formal relationships rather than external observation. The paintings exhibit flat planes of bright color, with dripped paint and loose brushwork adding texture, while the interplay of hot and cool colors energizes canvases like "Adorama" (2003). His reuse of shapes, such as circles and lozenges, draws comparisons to artists like Stuart Davis and Francis Picabia, emphasizing design over illusionism. The exhibition highlights Storey's slow, contemplative process, resulting in balanced compositions that evoke psychological states without sacrificing invention. His work challenges common criticisms of abstract art by maintaining technical skill and avoiding subjective fetishization. The show underscores his ability to create autonomous, enigmatic worlds through a unique visual language.