Abstract sensation — Robert Motherwell's art displays romantic response to modern life

A number of collages and sketches are included in the exhibit. The collages are complete, in and of themselves, employing paper scraps that are personal — cigarette packages, newspaper clippings, wine labels, etc.

The sketches, however, were often spontaneously created devices to explore shape and composition for other, larger works, such as the "Elegies," or another of Motherwell's expansive series, the "Open" series.

"Open #50" (acrylic and charcoal on canvas, 30 by 40 inches, 1969), the only "Open" piece in the exhibit, is a blue color field broken up by a green window and a few spare charcoal lines; it conveys both expansiveness and simplicity and is a high point of the show.

In most of the "Lyric Suite" drawings in the exhibit, made in 1965, black ink is used sparingly, on rice paper. In some of the pieces, red peeks out from beneath the black in sensual ooze. In others, the red ink is used in bold strokes, separated from the black. These are a wonderful example of the "automatism" the artist employed throughout his long career.

Motherwell was an outstanding technician whose mental acuity permeated every piece. His ability to "seize the glimpse" made for art that has kept Abstract Expressionism a vital part of American art history.

If you go

What: "Robert Motherwell: Te Quiero"

Where: Salt Lake Art Center, 20 S. West Temple

When: Through May 31

Gallery hours: Tuesday-Thursday, Saturday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.;

Friday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

How much: Free

Phone: 328-4201

Web: www.slartcenter.org

Be sure to also see "Deference to Deffebach" and "Sophie Matisse: Be Back in 5 Minutes and Zebra Stripe Paintings" on display at the center.

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E-mail: gag@desnews.com