Alison's Art Reviews

By ALISON MARTIN A collection haunting and dreamy images by Owen Gray is currently on view for the exhibition A World of Calm and Chaos . In this show, Gray examines how numerous crises going on in our world tap into human subconsciousness and appear in our dreams in various forms. The most prevalent global crises that is examined in this collection of work is that of climate change and how it's disrupting life on Earth with animals being removed from their natural habitats. Hieronymus Bosch, a 15th-16th century Dutch painter known for his expressive, fantastical masterpieces is one of Gray's biggest influencers and Bosch's vision is very much evident in Gray's paintings.  Exotic Gathering by Owen Gray (2022, oil on paper) One work titled  Exotic Gathering features flying insects, beetles, a purple butterfly and several mandolins that have come together in one dreamlike sequence. Another painting with a similar concept of creatures coming together is  Reptile Meeting  t

By ALISON MARTIN Picasso's prolific body of work never stops intriguing art lovers even after his death half a century ago.  The latest show at Park Avenue's Forum Gallery Picasso on Paper , focuses on his drawings and paintings done at various points in his eight-decade career that included portraits, nude figures, and other character studies. Some of the works on display include those from Picasso's blue period that spanned the years 1901 through 1904. The works in this period came from a place of extreme sadness and financial hardships Picasso was facing during those years as a young artist. One of these works titled Le Repas  frugal ("The Frugal Meal") features a gaunt couple sitting side by side at a table and have finished sharing a meal. What's left on the placemat in front of them is a plate, two glasses, and a bottle of wine. Their figures are elongated and they appear to be in a state of unhappiness perhaps contemplating how they are going to survive