When we think of Abstract Expressionist painters, some of the first painters who come to mind are Franz Kileand and William de Kooning (whose exhibit we will see in a few weeks at the MoMA).  Nevertheless, the art world is now mourning the loss of another iconic, yet overshadowed artist, Pat Passlof.  In fact, these contemporaries, Passlof and de Kooning, actually studied together at the Black Mountain College in North Carolina.  Eventually in the 1940’s they met up again in New York where he mentored her.

Abstract expressionism, influenced by surrealism and artistic style seen in such artists as Kandinsky, is defined by a measure of spontaneity.  Nevertheless, there is a balance between the spontaneity and careful planning evident in the works categorized in this artistic movement.

Passlof’s work is unique in the fact that it is characterized by “unpredictable line and thick, luminous color” in which the brush strokes dominate the canvasses she uses.  Furthermore, she often densely layered the paint in a deliberate attempt to obscure the differences between figures and ground, providing a competing chemistry between the two entities.   Passlof has also been praised as a “master colorist,” with fluid geometry complimenting saturated, yet vibrant colors.  In the painting shown below, called “Gold, Red Centaurs,” she overcomes her struggles to draw model’s legs in real life by instead creating creatures in her works with more than two legs.

Passlof’s work is now on display until December 23 at the Elizabeth Harris Gallery in Chelsea.

http://www.albany.edu/museum/wwwmuseum/crossing/artist19.htm

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/25/arts/pat-passlof-abstract-expressionist-painter-dies-at-83.html?scp=3&sq=kooning&st=cse