Exhibition of new black and white Abstract Expressionist oil paintings by Lilly Fenichel opens

SANTA FE, NM.- David Richard Gallery present Lilly Fenichel’s newest series of abstract expressionist paintings of poured oil paint and glazes on a smooth synthetic polypropylene support in her second solo exhibition with the gallery. The exhibition, “High Contrast,” is being presented August 2 through September 7, 2013.

This newest series of pure abstract paintings by Fenichel features a reductive palette of predominantly black paint on a white support with a rare stroke or two of subtle color—a bit of amber, purple, dilute red or neutralized green. The compositions are asymmetric with the black emerging from a corner or one side or the other like a wave of black pigment onto the scene, forever disrupting the serenity of the pure white support. Yet, the reductive compositions are calm and provide solitude as the viewer studies the work and makes a personal interpretation. These paintings are more gestural and less graphic than her earlier series with the same materials, the edges are broken and diffuse with the black pigment fading to white, conveying movement and rhythm.

Lilly Fenichel, #13, 2013. Oil on Polyproplyene, 37 x 25.5.

Lilly Fenichel completed her undergraduate work at Chouinard Art Institute in Los Angeles and later studied with Hassel Smith at the California School of Fine Art—currently the San Francisco Art Institute. She has had numerous solo and group exhibitions during her six decade career. A recipient of three International Pollock-Krasner Grants and numerous other awards, her artwork is in the permanent collections of the Harwood Museum, Albuquerque Museum and U. of New Mexico Art Museum along with numerous private and public collections.