summer shows

closing very soon...













Aug. 1: Union Square @ Taxter and Spengemann. Jaya Howey, Obscure Structure (2), 2008, Oil on canvas, 70" x 79". Courtesy of the Artist and Taxter & Spengemann, New York. Gianna Commito, Shade, 2008, watercolor and casein on wood panel, 18" x 16"

Aug. 2: Wendy White, Autokennel @ Leo Koenig. Mrs. Dash, 2008, acrylic on canvas, four panels: 170.75" x 84.5". WW on The Old Gold.

Aug. 2: Glass Houses @ Werkstätte. Patrick Brennan, Potluck (B.Y.O.B), acrylic, oil, and collage on linen, 36 x 36". Ryan Schneider, Your Time is Gonna Come, 2008, oil on canvas, 48” x 36”. Sam Moyer, ...Really Tied the Room Together, Ikea rag rug, florescent tubes, dimensions variable. Brennan on The Old Gold: One, Two.







Aug. 2: Scott Olson @ Overduin and Kite, Los Angeles. Untitled, 2008, oil and wax on linen, 16" x 11". Courtesy the artist and Overduin and Kite, Los Angeles, Photo: Brian Forrest

Scott Olson

Untitled, 2004, oil and collage on canvas, 16" x 14"

Untitled, 2005, oil on wood, 13" x 9"

Untitled, 2005, oil on canvas, 15" x 12"

Untitled, 2008, oil and acrylic on canvas, 18" x 12"

After experimenting with sound and sculpture, Olson started painting around 2004. Since then, he has been consistently working on these small-scale abstractions. While there is an obvious conceptual, even technical thread, the newer works are more refined and focused.

Last weekend, I stopped by for a second look at his current show at Taxter and Spengemann. After seeing the Thomas Nozkowski show (how many paintings can we cram into one space?), I was excited by the subtleties of these intimate works that don't try to do too much. Where Nozkowski's works are beginning to appear nostalgic, Olson's are less deliberate, understated, and ultimately personal. The show closes May 10.

Update: Roberta Smith on Olson in the NYT "Is Painting Small the Next Big Thing?"