Reception: Friday, July 3, 5:30 - 7:30

Keith Johnston's approach to abstract expression is mediated by a comparatively spare sensibility of color and economy of composition. His arrangements of light and dark space embrace but never fully yield to their vague suggestions of indistinct form. Though often suggesting a kind of calligraphic gesture that commands attention, the arrangements confer simultaneously the possibility for Zen-like meditative calm.

Johnston conceives his work on wood panel in encaustic, adding graphite in the resolution of the composition. He works without labored premeditation or preliminary sketches, his masterful sense of spontaneity coinciding with a confident simplicity. His allegiance is to a reductive vision that attaches significance to each color, line, shape or form.

The productive void created by the absence of extraneous colors, lines and details derives from mastery of improvisation and economy - where subtlety, pitch, line or blocking, with the slightest movement, can completely alter the work. It is the final relational equation that produces the meaning the artist aims to attain.

Johnston's work will be on view at LewAllen Galleries' Downtown location from July 3 until August 2, 2009.