Paul Wackers will exhibit a new body of paintings that depict geometric still life assemblages interacting with natural settings. Wackers takes the still life object, deduces it into geometric and linear form, and takes an additional step: the form is simplified to abstract shapes while raw painting techniques mimic the nature of the object itself.

 

Wackers’ work is rooted in inventive means of figuration. He uses a multi-method technique to support the subject at large. The formal quality and sincerity of his work walks between the lines of that of a 17th century Dutch still life painter a la Margareta Haverman or Willem Van Aelst, to atmospheric and broken down geometric landscapes, and sometimes to paintings on a single canvas that imitate diptych. Objects placed in the foreground of landscapes resemble hand-made sculptures and viewers may be tempted to wonder if they are not looking at the two-dimensional works of a very accomplished ceramicist! In this latest body of work Paul’s paintings balance amazing confidence in his technique and structure with a spirited gentleness.

 

Following are a few images from the opening reception at New Image Art in Los Angeles.

 

-Amy Duran

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Early Romantics

Paul Wackers

New Image Art

Through March 30th 2012