Tom Burckhardt: Ulterior Motif at George Adams Gallery

The George Adams Gallery presents Tom Burckhardt’s exhibition of abstract paintings titled Ulterior Motif. The show is on view from February 23 through April 6. 

Burckhardt’s work explores the intersection of abstraction and figuration. referencing forms and figures through a diverse range of marks and layered abstractions. In his latest series, Burckhardt works on a larger scale, creating a “society” of elements in his compositions, as opposed to the individualized “portraits” of his previous work. Burckhardt’s mother, the artist Yvonne Jacquette suddenly passed away at the age of 88 in April, significantly influencing Burckhardt’s development in this series.

The works in Ulterior Motif incorporate pigments sourced from pre-mixed tubes Burckhardt found in Jacquette’s studio, and the canvases are remnant rolls of linen she had left behind. Inspired by Jacquette’s method, Burckhardt for the first time tacked linen onto his studio walls instead of stretching the canvases in advance. This departure proved productive for Burckhardt, as it eliminated the constraints of cost and deliberation, ultimately resulting in fresh and un-busied compositions.

While Burckhardt acknowledges the “figures” in his works may appear as fractured, he prefers the adjective “congealed” – as an image coming together rather than breaking apart (an attitude Burckhardt attests to his own optimism). Perceiving the compositions becomes a visual game – discovering the painted pathways combine into something familiar, yet experiencing the overall abstraction simultaneously.

Artist Talk with Tom Burckhardt in conversation with Kathy Butterly
Saturday, March 16 at 1 pm

Please join us for an artist talk featuring Tom Burckhardt in conversation with fellow artist Kathy Butterly, who is also Burckhardt’s partner. Together, the two will discuss Burckhardt’s current exhibition Ulterior Motif. Butterly will offer a unique perspective on Burckhardt’s latest body of work, enriching the conversation with her personal insights and observations. Both will share their experience of being married artists and how this unique relationship influences and informs their creative careers. We hope you will participate in this lively discussion.

CONTACT 

38 Walker Street New York, NY 10013
Tel: 212 564 8480
info@georgeadamsgallery.com

Text adapted from the gallery press release.