When questioned concerning the composition of his paintings, Hansen replied, "I have two basic approaches to painting when it comes to subject matter. One is to paint a single object centered, more or less, on the canvas, and the other is to organize multiple objects."

In her book on Hansen, Vicki Halper referred to these two structures as "monumental form" or "allover dance."

One of the artist's more intriguing "monumental forms" is "Striped Tie & Grasshopper" (oil on canvas, 60-by-60 inches, 1993). This painting consists of a large red-striped tie and a large green grasshopper, both standing vertically, centered in the canvas. "The light and dark diagonals in the necktie and the grasshopper connect with each other," writes Hansen, "that's part of what is interesting to me."

His use of complementary colors and the asymmetrical positioning of one trailing grasshopper leg keep the composition from becoming stagnant.

"Man Eating" (oil on canvas, 48-by-60 inches, 1994) is a classic example of the artist's "allover dance." This is not a humorous painting; it illustrates the two-sided nature of man with all the potential menace.

"These days you can see the darker side of humanity anytime," writes Hansen. "I have a side of me that wants to do real gutsy-looking paintings, to balance the more pleasing ones, I suppose, and to let the more Expressionist approach come out."

For many, the best painting in the exhibit will be "The Contortionist" (oil on canvas, 60-by-72 inches, 1991). In this work, a man and a wolf stand in front of a brick wall. Bent over, their head between their legs, each faces off with the other by sporting a stupid grin. It is an impossibly difficult pose for a biped; completely impossible for a quadruped, yet Hansen makes it seem totally feasible. You also can't help but think they are mooning each other. It is very bizarre. Yet the figure/ground created, the brushwork achieved, the complimentary color scheme and the mysterious meaning make this painting simply wonderful.

Because his style is neo-Expressionist, some may conclude that Hansen's paintings lack what they consider to be conventional art skills; the works may even be deemed crude and ugly. However, these very factors make the paintings contemporary and full of the same wry humor found in the works of local artist, Brian Kershisnik.

If you spend time with "Gaylen Hansen: Three Decades of Painting," you will come away with a greater sense of visual literacy as well as a chuckle.

If you go

What: Gaylen Hansen: Three Decades of Paintings
Where: Salt Lake Art Center, 20 S. West Temple, Salt Lake City
When: Through May 31
Gallery hours: Tuesday-Thursday,11 a.m.-6 p.m.;
Friday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.;
Saturday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.;
Closed Sunday, Monday and holidays
How much: Free
Phone: 328-4201
Web: www.slartcenter.org

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E-mail: gag@desnews.com