Jonathan Lasker's Ambivalent Abstractions at Cheim & Read Through February 13

Jonathan Lasker's exhibition at Cheim & Read, on view through February 13, presents abstract paintings that defy easy interpretation. Emerging from the 1980s postmodern context, Lasker's work combines a rigid grid, primary structures, and nursery colors with dark symbolism, such as a cross and ambiguous forms. The artist's aesthetic oscillates between art-about-art microclimates and personal psychological readings, creating confected enigmas. A 2015 oil on linen piece, 'The Remnant of Spirit,' measures 75 by 100 inches. Critic David Cohen notes the difficulty in assessing Lasker's mood, comparing it to Pierre Bonnard's adage about happiness and singing. The show's final day coincided with a forecast of extreme cold, contrasting with sunny conditions outside.