Atlantic Works Gallery

The woods are ready

“Forest Floor,’’ by Dan Hoftstadter, in his show “From Life: Drawings by Dan Hofstadter, ‘‘ at Atlantic Works Gallery, Boston, through Nov. 25.

The gallery says:

This is a show of “direct, perceptual drawings, unmediated by tools. The artist always keeps his sketchbook by his side, a constant companion to his work as an abstract painter and arts writer. Shown at the gallery are freehand landscapes – responses to wherever he was living at the time - along with portraits and figure studies.’’

Accepting imperfection and transience

“Kintsugi Plate,’’ by Christine Palamidessi, in the “Wabi-Sabi’’ show at Atlantic Works Gallery, Boston, through March 2.This exhibition features the work of Palamidessi and Bo Petran in their experiments with classic Japanese aesthetic of Wabi-Sabi…

“Kintsugi Plate,’’ by Christine Palamidessi, in the “Wabi-Sabi’’ show at Atlantic Works Gallery, Boston, through March 2.

This exhibition features the work of Palamidessi and Bo Petran in their experiments with classic Japanese aesthetic of Wabi-Sabi, which is based on an acceptance of imperfection and transience. Artscope says that Palamidessi calls the work "irregular, intimate, unpretentious, earthy, murky, [and] simple." Palamidessi's works include broken ceramic plates repaired via the Japanese art of kintsugi, and Petran has created a suspended wax-and-paper angel sculpture called "Siddhartha’’.

A house on the edge of meaning and the void

"Journey's End'' (oil/cold wax/molding on wood panels), by George Shaw, in the show  George Shaw and Marjorie Kaye: The Poetics of Space,'' Oct. 8-29, at Atlantic Works Gallery, East Boston.

"Journey's End'' (oil/cold wax/molding on wood panels), by George Shaw, in the show  George Shaw and Marjorie Kaye: The Poetics of Space,'' Oct. 8-29, at Atlantic Works Gallery, East Boston.

The gallery writes: "George Shaw and Marjorie Kaye will present unique approaches examining the lyrical dissection of space and surface.''

"George Shaw's paintings and constructions are on and made of wood panels, and consist of oil paint, oil pastel, dry pigment, wax medium, molding and found objects.  This combination produces a balance between luminosity and saturation, with a focus on texture and the relationship between minimal objects and space.  The background and foreground is interchangeable, creating illusive space, yet there are very distinct relationships between them.''

Mr. Shaw writes: "The physics of consciousness, in relation to modern quantum mechanics theory illustrates my intention in regards to my work. I am interested in what consciousness truly is and the physical connection between our consciousness and/or spirit and the universe; and that we are truly interrelated." 

He says thatthe desire for an answer appears as a shelter, an anchor, a sanctuary:  home. 

 "Gradually, in my works, a house-like shape emerged, and became an important element: a counter-point to a universe, poised on the knife edge of meaning and the precipice of the void."