Art Choice

The landscapes in Connecticut-born Maureen Gallace’s latext exhibition continue her exploration of a rather austere, cool environment, devoid of people, in which simple buildings stand, such as Late Summer 2002. Although most represent real places, they are eerily anonymous, the houses frequently lacking details such as windows and doors, so that they become as much depictions of planes and forms as evocations of houses. Gallace’s portraits are not unlike snapshots in that their sitters gaze directly at the viewer from simple backdrops. Perhaps the most intriguiging and unexpected work in the show is a portrait of Cat Stevens. Her straightforward depiction of the singer is perhaps an ironic nod to the pared-down nature of her work in general, but it also underlines her concern with the technical qualities of her pieces.