Four Painters Explore Visual Perception in 'Nature is the Teacher' at The Painting Center

The exhibition 'Nature is the Teacher' was presented at The Painting Center in New York City from February 1 to 26, 2011. Featuring works by Simon Carr, Stanley Lewis, Thaddeus Radell, and Deborah Rosenthal, the show examined the relationship between direct observation of nature and artistic tradition. Carr's subway scenes employed heightened colors to depict human figures with psychological depth. Lewis's landscapes focused on the process of seeing, using fragmented marks to reconstruct appearances. Radell created figures with looping outlines and layered surfaces that emphasized movement and light over clear identities. Rosenthal's abstract compositions suggested lyrical journeys through organic forms and calligraphic marks. The unsigned essay accompanying the exhibition stated that nature exists both in faithfully observed motifs and analytically invented forms. The artists shared a commitment to learning from visual experience, though their individual styles varied significantly. The installation was noted for its handsome presentation of diverse artistic approaches.