Cary Smith

Cary Smith
October 19, 2017 – November 18, 2017
Opening Reception October 19, 6-8 pm

Fredericks & Freiser is pleased to announce an exhibition of new paintings and drawings by Cary Smith. Smith’s hard-edged, abstract paintings find their individual character from highly intuitive color interactions, boldly direct paint application, and hand-painted precision.

In this exhibition Smith presents a group of primarily colorful paintings that follow three general manifestations. The first are works in which the compositions evoke universal, seemingly functional design. Symmetrical and Mandala-like, these paintings are logical like game boards or flags. There is a straightforwardness that appears mathematical rather than personal. In contrast, other works have specific forms that evoke a more poetic, portrait-like singularity. The shapes display a gracefulness that is more instinctual. Finally, a single anomalous painting titled A Necessary Coexistence is an amalgamation of both types—rational yet lyrical.

Smith's paintings are made freehand with a variety of small sable brushes without the use of tape to mask the edges of the areas of color. His surfaces are delicate and warm which stand in contrast to the graphic, geometric compositions and allow them to convey both conceptual and emotional content. His bold colors work much the same way. Smith hones color with exactitude: working and reworking until he develops accurate color chords. This precision creates an energy that is highly experiential and like the paintings as a whole creates a believable space that is familiar yet completely new to the eye.

About the Artist

Cary Smith was born in 1955 in Puerto Rico. He lives and works in Connecticut. Smith has had numerous solo shows. His most recent was at the Aldrich Museum, Ridgefield, Ct. His group exhibitions include “The Jewel Thief” curated by Ian Berry and Jessica Stockholder at Tang Teaching Museum, “The Geometric Tradition in American Art” at Whitney Museum of American Art and “1989 Biennial Exhibition” at Whitney Museum of American Art. This will be his second exhibition at Fredericks & Freiser.

Fredericks & Freiser is located at 536 West 24^th Street, New York, NY. Our hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10am to 6pm. For more information, please contact us by phone (212) 633 6555 or email info@fredericksfreisergallery.com, and visit us online at www.fredericksfreisergallery.com, and on Instagram @fredericksandfreiser.

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October 19 through November 18, 2017

Press Release

Cary Smith interview with Brainard Carey of Yale University Radio