Four Different Views of Abstract Art Displayed in Southampton Cultural Center Exhibition

The new exhibition at the is about artistic expression — but don’t expect expressionism or abstract expressionism. All of the paintings in the show are abstract.

SCC curator-in-residence Arlene Bujese explained that abstraction allows freedom to funnel expression. The abstract nature of the paintings — meaning they don’t imply stories, conjure vistas or represent objects or people — allows expression to be easily noted.

“Abstraction can mean anything,” Bujese said. “It’s taking from reality but allows the expressive quality in the work to shine in the forefront.”

"Expression: Four Painters" opened on April 2 at the SCC’s Levitas Center for the Arts. The show features paintings by Shari Abramson, Roy Nicholson, Danny Simmons and Julie Small-Gamby. Bujese selected the artists and the artwork for the show, which is on view through May 23.

The exhibition features artists with different points of view. The aim is to visually demonstrate how expression can manifest itself in paint and materials, Bujese said.

“I wanted contrast and complementary work,” she said. “I wanted art that would play together in the same room and to be friendly to each other. As a curator, I make art out of other’s people’s art. For me, this is fun. It’s like making a painting.”

Nicholson’s paintings are billed as “gestural abstract forms in dense color: deep blues, vivid reds, yellow and orange are layered over one another as one might find in a garden setting.”

The paintings on view are from a series titled "Gloamings," which means" twilight" in Scottish, he explained. They were inspired by his Sag Harbor garden as viewed at twilight, he said.

“I’m fascinated with this time of day,” Nicholson said. “Twilight tends to be more abstract and forms have an indistinguishable look. I look for feelings and what’s going on below the surface rather than form. I’m interested in light and what it does to color.”

Abramson’s art on view feature fields of subtle shades of gray with “soft edge color shapes” that appear to float, according to exhibition promotions. She said her art reflects space, light and color and her interest in what is seen and not seen.

The artworks also manifest her contemplations and reconciliation of the differing Eastern and Western philosophies and how they view the experience of interpreting forms and space, she said.

Simmons is interested in shape, color and motion. Arches, sweeping gestures and strong lines characterize his paintings on view. Curving lines represent a departure from earlier works that were linear in execution and composition, he said. Contemplations of spirit, the spirit world, African ritual objects, ancestry and how they relate are important to his art, he said.

Simmons makes his art amid his collection of African ritual objects and artifacts that helps channel inspiration and direction, he said. Color directs the composition in an intuitive way and he strives for balance and harmony in the work, he said.

Simmons is the co-founder of the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation, an author, poet and a chairman of the New York State Council of the Arts. His studio is in Brooklyn.

He is the older brother of music executive Russell Simmons and Rev. Run of Run DMC.

Small-Gamby’s work on view in "Expression: Four Painters" is striking in its use of texture and layering. Her work can use plaster, paint, charcoal, newspaper, canvas and objects saved for possible placement in paintings, she said.

Small-Gamby started as a sculptor and her paintings explore the tactile aspect of material, she said. “I like the integration of various elements and material,” she said. “I use a variety of texture and bring them together as one voice.”    

The artists each said they were pleased with the exhibition and the way the different styles related to and complemented each other. Each also said they were pleased about the company they were keeping in the show.

“I’m proud to be here in this show with the other artists,” Simmons said.