New Work: Martin Mugar

The Creiger-Dane Gallery will be showing the new paintings of Martin Mugar from May 31 to June 24. We will have a reception for the artist on Friday, June 2, from 6 to 8 pm. Gallery hours are 10 am to 5:30 pm, Tuesday through Saturday, or by appointment

Martin Mugar's newest series of paintings are comprised of layer upon layer of thickly painted, pastel colored dots. Laying upon the canvas in such thickly globbed amounts that the works seem more akin to a 3-D topographical map than a flat canvas, they urge the viewer to contemplate their existence as seething entities unto themselves.

Creating works that are purely abstract, Mugar's work appears to be devoid of any reference to the observed world. Upon further exploring, however, it becomes apparent that this is a statement too easily tossed off. Perhaps Mugar's globs of paint are the bits and chunks that are left when the observed world is broken down, dissected, analyzed. Or perhaps these mountainous, roiling, dripping, folded gobs are more akin to building blocks, the essential elements from which life and form is created. Screaming of energy, reminiscent of molten lava and rolling waves, the dots are like cells or units of life, pure potential.

Lacking in overt references to a common observed world, avoiding the temptation to create illusion and dazzle with easily identifiable, slick skill, Mugar's work unapologetically and boldly faces its viewer. Mugar has the courage to transcend common tricks and pierce straight to the heart of the matter. One sees and feels the energy, the desire, the intense thirst for form and understanding of some kind or another that drives these works. Come to this understanding, and the beauty of Mugar's paintings opens up into a world of light, color and energy; the earth, air and sky; music and movement and dance; thunderous booms and soft murmurs; the very air we breathe. Like a hunter stalking its prey, the artist searches the world for its essence.

If you are interested in any of these works, feel free to email geeta@creiger-dane.com.

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