Judith Linhares's 'Hearts on Fire' at P.P.O.W. Gallery showcases vibrant, unsettling narratives in her paintings.

Judith Linhares's exhibition titled 'Hearts on Fire' was showcased at P.P.O.W. Gallery in New York City from February 14 to March 16, 2019, at 535 W. 22nd Street. The display included 17 artworks, featuring both expansive pieces with nude female forms set against desolate landscapes and smaller floral still lifes. Now in her late 70s and a New York resident for over 20 years, Linhares employs dynamic brushwork and vivid color contrasts to produce striking light effects, drawing inspiration from Henri Rousseau and Henri Matisse. Notable works like 'Dawn' (2017) and 'Beach' (2019) subvert traditional narratives and beauty ideals, showcasing unselfconscious nudes and common flowers such as daisies and hydrangeas. The exhibition's title references a diamond cut, hinting at the artist's nuanced disruptions. Her technique, characterized by striations and radiating spokes, prioritizes abstract form over smoothness. The presence of animals, including donkeys and lions, adds complexity, while glass vases in the floral pieces symbolize distorted perceptions. This exhibition signifies a growing acknowledgment of Linhares's skill in manipulating color and light to provoke mixed emotions.