Leslie Wayne's Humor and Perception in New Paintings at Jack Shainman Gallery

Leslie Wayne's exhibition 'Free Experience' at Jack Shainman Gallery from September 7 to October 21, 2017, showcases a shift toward larger-scale works with heightened playfulness. The artist describes humor as a seductive tool to disrupt viewer expectations, alongside perception as a central concern. Her painting '(W)resting Robert' features a metal chair that occupies the entire panel, with paint sheets resembling fabric draped over it, including a copy of an early Robert Ryman work. Wayne plays with language, noting that 'free' in the exhibition title functions as both adjective and verb. While environmental awareness informs some pieces like 'Snowmageddon', inspired by Hokusai's Ukiyo-e prints and a snowstorm, politics are not the primary focus. She employs trompe l'œil, abstraction, and dimensional verisimilitude to surprise both herself and viewers. Growing up in California influenced her emphasis on nature and phenomenological experience, distinct from theoretical approaches. Artists she admires include Mamma Andersson, Rodney Graham, Elizabeth Murray, Martin Puryear, Matisse, Stuart Davis, and Charles Burchfield, with her husband Don Porcaro also influencing her work. Her process involves manipulating paint through scoring, peeling, scraping, folding, draping, and collaging, though she avoids discussing technique to prioritize visual experience. Wayne's studio rule is to accomplish at least one thing daily.