Lilly Fenichel had a solo show at the Harwood Museum in Taos back in 2004 that she is now sharing with Albuquerque art lovers at Artspace 116 Downtown.
Fenichel lived in the Bay Area during the early 1950s where she knew Elmer Bischoff, David Parks and many other pioneer abstract expressionists. She interacted with these artists and shared ideas and exhibitions with them.
The "Just You Just Me" exhibition of 12 acrylic paintings from 2003 and two sculptures from 1988 is a combination of organic and geometric abstractions with sensual undertones.
Fenichel applies paint directly to raw canvas much like Helen Frankenthaler did during the 1960s. Frankenthaler's use of thin paint on unprimed canvas influenced Morris Louis and Kenneth Noland, who were Washington, D.C. area painters known for their bold use of color.
In her show Fenichel uses predominantly spring and summer colors reminiscent of Easter egg dyes. Her work is filled with shapes that can be read as symbols for the union of male and female.
I was impressed with her two sculptures that she titled "The Tables IV" and "The Tables Tamarisk II". Her use of color on both of them is breathtaking but my favorite is "The Tables IV" with its rich maroons, dark blues and deep reds.
The piece bridges furniture and sculpture with its flat level top and overall end-table height. The two sections interact with spatial tension like two strangers with similar backgrounds might approach each other for the first time.
The acrylic paintings in the show are variations on the relationship between genders that dominates so much of human interaction.
They offer a hint of spring with a touch of passion but in my view Fenichel's paintings are eclipsed by her two sculptures.
WHAT: "Just You Just Me" paintings and sculpture by Lilly Fenichel
WHEN: Through April 16. Hours are: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays. Call 245-4200
WHERE: Artspace 116, 116 Central SW, Suite 201
HOW MUCH: Free
