Works of abstract expressionism come together for big impact

John Brandenburg
·2 min read
"Adapt" by Rhiana Deck, aerosol spray paint and acrylic on hardboard.
"Adapt" by Rhiana Deck, aerosol spray paint and acrylic on hardboard.

Viewers get to experience some of the freeform lyricism of abstract expressionism as well as the impact of almost mural-sized works in a new show.

The four-person "Abstract Remix" exhibit runs through Jan. 24 on the third floor of Oklahoma Contemporary, 11 NW 11.

State artists represented in the show are Oklahoma City-based artist Rhiana Deck and Kaylee Jones W., and Tulsa-based artists May Yang and Codak Smith.

Perhaps most fluid in sweeping our eyes across the gallery space allotted to her is "Adapt," by Chocaw Nation artist Deck, who said she tries to conjure "dreamscapes." Vivid yet fiery yellow and red-orange shapes, suggesting pointed tongues, swords and clouds, interact well with more oceanic blues, greens, purples and whites in Deck's "Adapt" acrylic.

"Fruit Forward with Nice Dancey Dance" by Kalee Jones W., acrylic latex paint on pencil on wall.
"Fruit Forward with Nice Dancey Dance" by Kalee Jones W., acrylic latex paint on pencil on wall.

Both loosely painted and lyrical is a composition, called "Fruit Forward with Nice Dancey Dance," by Jones W., done with latex acrylic and pencil.

Multi-hued, string-like lines, lead us through the pastel and turquoise shades of the work by Jones W., where black circles look back at us like eyes, and part of a dark shape resembles an animal.

"Untitled" by May Yang, acrylic latex paint on paint marker on wall.
"Untitled" by May Yang, acrylic latex paint on paint marker on wall.

More bold and straightforward, yet powerful, is an untitled work, executed on one large wall, by Yang.

Strong black elements appear to overlay, penetrate and tie together flat yellow-brown, and dark blue or green mountainous areas in Yang's forceful composition.

Challenging in another way is "Form and Folly," by Smith, a 2017-19 Tulsa Artist Fellow, who spent his childhood in Portland, Oregon.

"Form and Folly" by Codak Smith, aerosol spray paint on hardboard, seasoned wood, acrylic latex paint on wall, video projection and audio.
"Form and Folly" by Codak Smith, aerosol spray paint on hardboard, seasoned wood, acrylic latex paint on wall, video projection and audio.

Smith said he "cut (up) and reassembled" one of his paintings, giving it long, sharp, spear-like pointed edges, then painted a star-like gray shape around it on the wall. Giving it an added, multi-media dimension, are light and sound animation projections, over and above Smith's sliced up painting.

The exhibit of the four state mural artists is well worth viewing in the run of show, curated by the museum's Pablo Barrera. Hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, with longer hours from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursdays. The museum is closed Tuesdays.

Admission is free but timed reserved tickets are suggested, with social distancing and masks strongly encouraged. Call 405-951-0000 or visit http://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/kUKUCQWKP0IB66AXxIxM6ur?domain=oklahomacontemporary.org for information.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Works of abstract expressionism come together for big impact in 'Abstract Remix'