Tell it Slant
Newman Popiashvili Gallery
May 19–June 18, 2011
This review of Helen Beckman, Tell it Slant at Newman Popiashvili gallery in New York was initially published in the Huffington Post 06/22/2011
In Helen Beckman's paintings, the subject catches you by surprise and never really leaves you: A bird, a horse, a woman... These fundamental themes, recurring in her work, are not always visible at the first look. You encounter them often swimming in light. But although they can be seen as each painting's cornerstone, you quickly realize that other battles are going on here : There is much more than the pastoral here As much as there is light and clarity in these paintings, there is darkness and confusion as well. Colors are mostly pale on each gessoed wood panel, with sparkle of black. Formats are small. Strokes are at times thick, making part of some paintings look like a miniature mosaic, at times like watercolor. Often they are a combination of precision and spontaneity. The juxtaposition and merging of forms and colors get to a point where the painting brilliantly holds itself (which is rare enough to be mentioned). This pulsation between materiality and ephemerality between the appearance and disappearance of the subject make these paintings almost magical. These irradiating works, despite their initial ethereal and atmospheric effect, have an amazingly strong presence.
Anne Couillaud