Four Abstract Painters Show New Directions in Chelsea Galleries

Joseph Marioni's exhibition at Peter Blum Gallery until July 1 marks his departure from strict monochrome painting. His new works in landscape format feature background colors asserting themselves boldly beneath surface layers, creating figure-ground relationships. Marioni applies acrylic with a housepainter's roller, creating mottled surfaces that differ from impersonal minimalists like Alan Charlton. His work has gained support from formalist critic Michael Fried. Jeremy Gilbert-Rolfe's paintings at Gray Kapernekas until June 17 reconcile color-field painting with miniaturist sensibilities in 70-inch square canvases. Works like "Step" (2004–05) feature vermillion expanses separated by ziggurat forms. Thomas Nozkowski's works on paper at BravinLee programs until June 17 include drawings from his collaboration with poet John Yau in the "Ing Grish Suite" (2005). His drawings maintain strong figure-ground relationships with quirky forms that elude literal interpretation. Stephen Mueller's exhibition at Baumgartner Gallery until June 7 features whimsical paintings that play with flatness and depth through patterns and shapes. "Mneme" (2006) displays a cosmic push-pull effect with transparent gray orbs floating over rainbow backgrounds. All four artists share connections through abstract painting traditions while developing distinct approaches to color, form, and spatial relationships in their Chelsea exhibitions.