The clock is ticking for art enthusiasts who hope to witness the brilliantly vibrant works by rising artist Kate Meissner, currently on exhibit at the renowned Lyles & King’s Project Space. The exhibition, featuring Meissner’s latest paintings, opened earlier this month in the East Village neighborhood of New York City and is due to conclude within days.
Known for her avant-garde approach to painting, Meissner translates diverse thoughts, experiences, and emotions into riots of color. This body of work has already generated considerable interest among art critics and fans on digital platforms, even amidst the pandemic’s imposed limitations.
Art critic Terrence Smyth, writing for ArtNet described the exhibition as “a refreshing dive into the pool of abstract expressionism,” praising Meissner’s “visceral stroke style and captivating use of color.” Meanwhile, social media has been alight with images of visitors, masks on, looking thoughtfully at Meissner’s large format canvasses. Manhattan-based art blogger Maria Hanlon called the exhibition “a visceral journey through brush strokes and hues.”
Meissner’s exhibit at Lyles & King’s Project Space is a significant step for the artist, whose previous showings were primarily hosted in smaller galleries on the West Coast. Interestingly, despite the difficulties posed by the current health crisis, this shift to a more prominent platform doesn’t seem to have daunted the artist or curtailed her creative output.
The paintings on exhibit – close to twenty, many of them monumental – demonstrate her unique and increasingly mature approach to color and form. They are, as critic Smyth noted, a move towards abstract expressionism, far from any initial categorization as a contemporary pop artist.
In these recent works, Meissner appears to draw inspiration from various life events, introspective thoughts, and surrounding environments which she then translates onto canvases through bold streaks and well-calculated splotches of color. Responding to a question from Artsy about her technique, Meissner stated, “I think of my palette as a representation of my journey through life – every hue has a story, a moment attached. Painting is a way for me to bring out this kaleidoscope.”
Perhaps one of the most talked-about pieces is “The Loft”, a gigantic canvas offering an abstract interpretation of her experience staying in an old loft near the Hudson River. The painting, with its juxtaposition of cool blues and warm oranges, coruscating with streaks of green and russet, has already caught the eye of several art collectors.
Meissner, who currently resides and works in San Francisco, has seen her career take off remarkably in recent years. She gained recognition through exhibitions at the San Francisco Contemporary Art Museum and the Oregon Center for the Arts. In 2019, she was listed among the ‘Rising Stars’ by the American Art Review.
If you are anywhere near Manhattan before the exhibition draws to a close, consider taking some time to immerse yourself in the vibrant world of Kate Meissner at Lyles & King’s Project Space, located at 21 Catherine Street. Given the pandemic situation, checking the gallery’s official website for viewing guidelines and restrictions before visiting is a must.
Dreamy yet with a firm grasp on reality, chaotic yet coherently expressive, Meissner’s paintings are an intriguing display of an art form that seems both intensely personal and universally relatable. Seize this last chance to step into her artistic journey through color and form.
Original Source: https://www.juxtapoz.com/news/painting/last-days-to-see-kate-meissner-s-new-paintings-lyles-king-s-project-space-nyc/
