Robert Ryman's Early Drawings and 'Band of Abstraction' Showcase Playful Minimalism in New York

Two concurrent exhibitions in New York offer contrasting views on abstract painting. 'Robert Ryman: Works on Paper, 1957-1964' at Peter Blum Gallery in SoHo presents the first survey of the artist's early drawings, revealing surprising uses of color and expressive organization that contrast with his later white square paintings. The show runs until September 25, 2004, with a closure in August. Ryman, who began as a jazz musician, developed a playful, pranksterish approach to minimalism, creating 'anxious objects' without angst, often focusing on his signature as a central motif. Critics have compared his work to Jasper Johns and noted influences from Robert Motherwell, Clifford Still, and Mark Tobey. Simultaneously, 'Band of Abstraction' at Van Brunt Gallery, curated by painter and critic Joe Fyfe until August 14, 2004, features 17 lesser-known artists, many making New York debuts. The exhibition includes French artists linked to the Support-Surface movement, such as Jean-Francois Karst and Nadine de Koenigswarter, alongside American painters like Jennifer Riley, Taro Suzuki, Adrienne Farb, and Jason Duval. Fyfe's selection emphasizes small works and artists new to New York, creating a dialogue between individualistic styles. Ryman's recent 2002 painting exhibition at PaceWildenstein also highlighted exposed colorful grounds, a trait foreshadowed in these early drawings. The article originally appeared in the New York Sun on July 22, 2004.