A study in contrast

Representation and abstraction: sisters often accused of being jealous enemies, when, truthfully, they are merely siblings with distinct personalities. The work of Carolyn Coalson (abstraction) and Michelle Macfarlane (representation), on display at Phillips Gallery, perfectly illustrates the point.

Coalson's abstract expressionist oils on paper are sophisticated soliloquies. There is nothing overt, however. Just level upon level of color, line and texture.

One discovers something vaguely familiar in a Coalson piece: deeper than memory, something that requires the stripping away of traditional representational cataracts for complete understanding and enjoyment. But once achieved, viewers will be delighted with the result.

Her "Blue Rush" is perfectly titled — assorted blues surge back and forth, around and through. "Calor" is a gestural inferno of reds, oranges, yellows and browns. Each painting stirs the viewer.

Coalson's most serene piece in the show is "Being There." Such a mood-altering blue brings to mind Yves Klein's "Monochrome Blue" (IKB 181) 1956. Coalson's piece blankets the paper with a blue that makes viewers' eyes ache for its beauty.

"Sunset," one of several small watercolors by Coalson, is another strong element in the show.

Macfarlane's exhibition black-and-white photographs are whimsical pastiches of carousel animals from two very different locations.

While visiting Europe last year, she was inspired by the old carousel in the Luxembourg Gardens. The animals are slight in form, conservatively designed, and the worn, chipped paint gives each an old-world appearance.

In addition to — and contrasting — the Luxembourg carousel, Macfarlane photographed the turn-of-the-century carousel at Lagoon. By comparison, the American animals are muscular, animated, flashy — an intriguing contrast.

The quality of Macfarlane's photography is superb. Her control of light, composition, positive and negative space and the subtlety of her grays make for images pregnant with pathos. There is no digital gimmickry here, just traditional photographic process, which, if carefully examined, has the birthmark of abstraction.

The pairing of Coalson and Macfarlane — abstraction and realism — has the potential for taking viewers beyond mere surface seeing; this exhibit shows the importance and necessity of looking at art both ways.

What a fulfilling experience.

If you go …

What: Carolyn Coalson & Michelle Macfarlane

Where: Phillips Gallery, 444 E. 200 South

When: Through Oct. 10

Time: Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.,

Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

How much: Free

Phone: 364-8284

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E-MAIL: gag@desnews.com