Five years after his death in 2008, beloved abstract and surrealist painter Simon Hantai has become the focus of two major exhibitions: one at the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris and one here in New York at Paul Kasmin Gallery.
After leaving his native Hungary in 1948 and settling in France, where he became a member of the burgeoning surrealist community, he quickly became known for his large abstract paintings. Influenced by both American Abstract Expressionism and European art, he immediately carved out a place for himself in the scene, inventing a new technique ("folding as method") that involved folding and tying un-stretched canvas to make geometric patterns, on top of which he applied color. The resulting brightly painted spots of canvas look like floating origami paper folded into shapes of exotic birds and flowers that you want to just reach out grab.
At first glance, the compositions seem youthful––they are bold and full of cheery yellow, pink, green, and blue tones. The technique also causes the dried paint to chip and peel, which gives the canvas dimension and exposes a cracked, stark white layer. These markings caused by the creases in the canvas look like wrinkles and, at points, the paint congeals to resemble varicose veins that call to mind the symptoms of old age. Although these dichotomies exist within the pieces, it is Hantai’s youthful spirit as a brilliant and masterful colorist that permeates the gallery space.
Through June 22, 2013.
PAUL KASMIN GALLERY
293 10th Ave
New York, NY 10001
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After leaving his native Hungary in 1948 and settling in France, where he became a member of the burgeoning surrealist community, he quickly became known for his large abstract paintings. Influenced by both American Abstract Expressionism and European art, he immediately carved out a place for himself in the scene, inventing a new technique ("folding as method") that involved folding and tying un-stretched canvas to make geometric patterns, on top of which he applied color. The resulting brightly painted spots of canvas look like floating origami paper folded into shapes of exotic birds and flowers that you want to just reach out grab.
At first glance, the compositions seem youthful––they are bold and full of cheery yellow, pink, green, and blue tones. The technique also causes the dried paint to chip and peel, which gives the canvas dimension and exposes a cracked, stark white layer. These markings caused by the creases in the canvas look like wrinkles and, at points, the paint congeals to resemble varicose veins that call to mind the symptoms of old age. Although these dichotomies exist within the pieces, it is Hantai’s youthful spirit as a brilliant and masterful colorist that permeates the gallery space.
Through June 22, 2013.
PAUL KASMIN GALLERY
293 10th Ave
New York, NY 10001
MAP
