Shirley Jaffe's Mini-Retrospective at Tibor de Nagy Showcases Four Decades of Abstract Evolution

Between March 11 and April 24, 2010, the Tibor de Nagy Gallery in New York City presented "Shirley Jaffe: Selected Paintings, 1969–2009." This exhibition featured thirteen pieces spanning four decades, including six earlier works and seven recent creations, accompanied by a catalog essay from Carolyn Lanchner. An American expatriate residing in Paris since 1949, Jaffe shifted from Abstract Expressionism to new compositional strategies by the mid-1960s. Her 1969 piece, "The Gray Center," exemplifies this transition, while "Macon, 1979" showcases her playful approach to abstraction. Throughout her career, she embraced off-white backgrounds and diverse color palettes. Her most recent work, "Labyrinth, 2009-10," reflects her artistic evolution, drawing inspiration from Stuart Davis and Henri Matisse.