Opening Reception for Piece & Plane

SLATE Contemporary’s upcoming exhibition, Piece & Plane (in the gallery at 473 25th Street October 15–December 30, 2020) features artworks by Eric Bohr, Heather Jones, Kerith Lisi, and Silvia Poloto. The thematic concept that underlies this exhibition is the collective focus on abstract compositions made by piecing together flat shapes. In each case, these shapes live in some material form before the work is begun, pre-existing the final composition, and providing a personal palette for each artist. Clearly, however, the outcome of each work is never pre-determined. Instead, a process of decision-making ensues, with the artists re-arranging parts or pieces until the perfect balance is achieved. The resulting artworks rest on the relationships between their internal components, not only across the surface, but also within the shallow depth of field where layers literally or merely seem to overlap, hinting at other unseen forms that may or may not exist beyond the visible plane.

Assemblage and collage are integral to the process of all four artists. Heather Jones, for example, cuts, assembles, and joins pieces of fabric together to create compositions that speak of 20th century abstraction yet evoke elements traditional quilt making. Kerith Lisi similarly draws some inspiration from quilt patterns but works with hardback book covers, book cloth, and book spines, which she cuts and reassembles using adhesive and/or embroidery thread. Silvia Poloto uses paper as her primary medium, glueing it to wood panel and then selectively pulling parts of it back, adding and subtracting to create a layered composition. Eric Bohr’s work (the only true “paintings” in the exhibition) are actually informed by preparatory paper collages, through which he explores the shapes, colors, and compositions that are vital to the eventual outcome of each painting.