Michael Frank Blair conveys the coolness that one might only aspire to. His paintings are as cool as his persona, in a dynamic way. They belie the active mind and disciplined approach behind his reserve. Working predominantly on medium and large-scale canvases, with sophisticated color sense, Blair’s paintings feel at first rooted in Abstract Expressionism.

With time, something more representational reveals itself as the viewer sits with his work long enough to appreciate his play with space and recognize allusions to cityscapes and landscapes perhaps viewed from above. The sense of balance Blair achieves in his composition is not accidental. A lot of thinking, observation, and an understanding of formal qualities of painting is evident.Blair’s work is concerned with the materiality of imagery and space specifically, making work that is not reducible to the concerns of representation or illustrative imagery.

Following the opening reception, the exhibit will be on view through August 12.