Elisabeth Condon's Paintings Blend Styles in New York Exhibition

Elisabeth Condon's exhibition 'Climb the Black Mountain' at Lesley Heller Workspace in New York City ran from April 13 to May 15, 2011. The show featured paintings that combine multiple artistic languages, drawing from influences across the United States and internationally. Condon, who studied in Los Angeles and Chicago and is based in Brooklyn, incorporates elements from her travels to China, Spain, Miami, Tampa, and Saratoga Springs. Her work merges abstract and figurative elements, with references ranging from Helen Frankenthaler and Morris Louis to Larry Poons and Giotto. Specific paintings like 'Hello, Yellow' (2010) and 'Woke Up to Find it Missing' (2011) demonstrate her technique of layering stains, films, and opaque paints. The artist's residency at Yaddo in 2010 influenced pieces such as 'Yaddo Trees, Autumn' (2010), which reflects a meeting with poet Jane Hirshfield. Condon's paintings challenge conventional categories by blending psychedelic, surrealist, Pop, and lyrical abstraction styles. The exhibition highlighted her ability to integrate diverse influences into cohesive compositions that defy easy explanation.