Scanning the ‘undertow’

“Each, Every, All, None’’ (mixed media), by Brockton, Mass.-based artist Virginia Mahoney in her show with Natalie Miebach, “Undercurrents,’’ at Fountain Street Gallery, Boston, through Oct. 29.

The gallery says:

“Virginia Mahoney scans the undertow of human interactions, examining the disparity between surface appearances and underlying consequences. With complex, intricate forms and materials, her figures probe autobiographical stories and question accepted narratives. As she uncovers possibilities in the scraps, shards, and leftovers of a longstanding studio practice, her voice emerges in the rhythm of stiches, provocations of language, and discovery of new forms.’’

Headlines posted in street-corner window of newspaper office (Brockton Enterprise), 60 Main Street, Brockton, in December 1940. Upstairs were the first main offices of the W.B. Mason company.

The sense of ‘nowness’

“Between Gatsby and Clue’’ (oil painting detail), by Lakeville, Mass.-based painter Joseph Fontinha, in his joint show, “Everywhen,’’ with Tatiana Flis, at Fountain Street Gallery, Boston, through Oct. 1.

The gallery says he:

“{W}orks to have each mark in a painting carry its thematic content. This quality draws the viewer into the moment being portrayed with all of its energy and physicality. This sense of ‘nowness’ points to the many possibilities inherent in every moment. Fontinha is intentional about conveying truths that he feels can only be communicated through oil paint. Unlike the highly negotiated spaces captured in his videos and interactive installations, his paintings focus on the standardization of perception. This opportunity to detangle images through durational viewing allows for a deep and resonant experience.’’

Assawompset Pond, in Lakeville.

— Photo by ToddC4176

Adapting to rising seas

“Letter to the Ocean” (video still), by Alejandra Cuadra and Ashley Page, in their show at Fountain Street Gallery, Boston, through April 2.

Wear lead

“Irradiate” (mixed media), by Mary Marley, in the group show “Space for Maybe,’’ at Fountain Street Gallery, Boston, through Feb. 13. She is based in Millis, Mass., once known as the home of some manufacturers during New England’s mill-town heyday and now to a large extent a Greater Boston commuters’ suburb.

Looking at science and personal story

“War in Heaven” (oil and ink on wood panel), by Boston-based artist Steve Sangapore, in his joint show “Phantasm’’ with Ponnapa Prakkamakul, at Fountain Street Gallery, Boston, through May 2

Mr. Sangapore tells the gallery:

“The superposition oil and ink painting series explores the implications of this idea by splitting the canvas into two halves. On one side of the panel there is the world as we perceive it, which is rendered using oil paint. The delivery is familiar, defined and full of color and emotion. On the other, I employ spontaneous line work in black and white, illustrating the unintuitive, non-locality of the quantum world.

”My aim was to have two visually contrasting approaches for how each of the painting halves were represented. The physical execution of representing a single subject using both abstract line-work and objective realism creates a strong dichotomy for the series. The contrast of the two approaches invites the viewer into a conversation between the two vastly different ideas of how nature works and is experienced.

“The particular subjects chosen for this split-panel execution add an additional dimension to the work. Each piece depicts significant people, places and events in my life. From the Belgian landscape to narratives about loss, each installment to the series is a marriage of my interest in science with personal story and narrative.’’

With hidden faces

"Abstract Reflections," by Marcia Wise, at Fountain Street Gallery, Boston, through July 19.

See:

https://www.marciarwise.com/

and:

https://www.fsfaboston.com/

What we see and don't see

“Collapse: Of the Self ‘‘ (oil and ink on wood panel), by Steve Sangapore, as part of a group show with Lydia Kinney and Casey Stanberrry from Jan. 30 through Feb. 24 at Fountain Street Gallery’s Annex, Boston.

Mr. Sangapore's works address the idea that consciousness creates the universe. His pieces are split down the middle, with one side showing what we perceive, and the other the quantum world that we can't see

Vanity, vanity....

"Enlightenment'' (oil on canvas, detail), by Anita Loomis, in her joint show "Untold Stories','' at Fountain Street Gallery, Boston, through Sept. 30.

The gallery says:

"Anita Loomis's narrative-driven paintings are playful and cartoonish, poking fun at some of our less attractive characteristics such as vanity, clumsiness, and frustration. The paintings encourage the viewer to notice how beautiful a line, color, or shape can be; how funny human behavior can be; or how interesting that something so plain and unassuming can touch souls or create laughter.''

Musical art

"Tanglewood'' (reference to famed music venue in the Berkshires), by Sorin Bica, at Fountain Street Gallery, Boston, through Dec. 17.

Order in chaos

Mixed media work by Brenda Cirioni in her joint show with Leslie Zelamsky, "Common Sensibilities, '' at Fountain Street Gallery, Boston, through Dec. 17. The gallery says she uses "the house icon as a counterpoint to her energetic, chaotic surroundings. Cirioni's selection of materials reflects her interest in the environment, using repurposed house paint, fabric and wallpaper remnants and other debris.