Gary Stephan's 2001 Exhibition at Baumgartner Gallery Showcases Direct Abstract Paintings
Gary Stephan presented an exhibition at Baumgartner Gallery in New York from January 20 to February 21, 2001. His abstract paintings feature defined edges and stacked forms, evoking comparisons to Mark Rothko's early works. Stephan's approach avoids preciousness, offering a direct and unfussy style that contrasts with trends in abstraction. The works display subtle contradictions, balancing buoyancy with containment. The show was noted for its matter-of-fact execution and lack of hooks, yet it provided complete satisfaction. Stephan's consistent exploration of abstract painting remains persuasive, with forms that slip and glide while being tethered by borders.
Key facts
- Gary Stephan exhibited at Baumgartner Gallery
- Exhibition dates: January 20 – February 21, 2001
- Location: 418 West 15 Street, New York NY 10011
- Paintings feature defined edges and stacked forms
- Works compared to Mark Rothko's early floating blobs and fields
- Style described as direct, bare-bones, and matter-of-fact
- Paintings embody subtle contradictions like slow and generous
- Contrasts with abstraction's tendency toward presentation and premeditation
Entities
Artists
- Gary Stephan
- Mark Rothko
Institutions
- Baumgartner Gallery
- artcritical
Locations
- New York
- United States