ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Four Exhibitions Signal Renewed Interest in Late Modernist Color-Field Painting

exhibition · 2026-04-22

In New York, four concurrent exhibitions are celebrating modernist painting from the 1970s onward. "Walter Darby Bannard: Dragon Water" at Berry Campbell Gallery features pieces from the 1970s, including "Pakistani," which demonstrates Bannard's transition to rich textures and unique colors, and will be on display until March 15 at 530 West 24th Street. At Bernard Jacobson Gallery, "Helen Frankenthaler: Paintings" runs until April 30, showcasing works from the 1970s, including her 1987 creation "Bella Donna." Spanierman Gallery's "Dan Christensen: Sprays and Stains," which focused on the 1980s, was available from March 6 to April 2, while Paul Kasmin Gallery's "Jules Olitski: Mitt Paintings" featured works from 1989 to 1992, running from March 6 to April 19.

Key facts

  • Walter Darby Bannard's exhibition "Dragon Water" is on view at Berry Campbell Gallery through March 15.
  • The show features paintings exclusively from the 1970s, marking Bannard's shift from minimalism to modernism.
  • The painting "Pakistani" exemplifies his use of radiant yet restrained colors like mauve, purple, orange, and lime-yellow.
  • Helen Frankenthaler's exhibition at Bernard Jacobson Gallery runs through April 30, with works mostly from the 1970s onward.
  • Frankenthaler's 1987 painting "Bella Donna" is highlighted in her show.
  • Dan Christensen's exhibition "Sprays and Stains" was at Spanierman Gallery from March 6 to April 2, focusing on 1980s works.
  • Jules Olitski's "Mitt Paintings" at Paul Kasmin Gallery featured works from 1989-1992, made using house painter's gloves.
  • These four overlapping exhibitions indicate renewed interest in late modernist color-field painting.

Entities

Artists

  • Walter Darby Bannard
  • Larry Poons
  • Jill Nathanson
  • Helen Frankenthaler
  • Dan Christensen
  • Jules Olitski

Institutions

  • Berry Campbell Gallery
  • Bernard Jacobson Gallery
  • Spanierman Gallery
  • Paul Kasmin Gallery

Locations

  • New York
  • United States
  • 530 West 24th Street

Sources