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By Tamara Fox

Gone Swimming: Abstraction at 337
Comprised of a mere fifteen works by four artists, this little exhibition is a gem of painterly expression.

Matt Wolcott

Eric Schroeder’s painted panels resemble the compositions of Abstract Expressionist Clyfford Still, albeit with a more spare application of paint. Schroeder has drawn or scratched into the surface in a manner suggestive of Cy Twombly. A similar predilection for combining drawn and painted gesture is evident in Matthew Schaefer‘s whimsical polyptychs. Each consisting of four canvases arranged to form a large square, they display a keen sense of composition, as well as an affection for materiality, and color. While the aforementioned qualities are not entirely consistent with his admiration of the accidental or automatic techniques of the anarchic Neo-Dada and Fluxus art movements, the suggestion of fragmented diagrams or charts resonates with “first wave” Dada’s commentary about the dysfunction or futility of systems of communication.

The seductive paintings by Matt Wolcott feature painted gestures that contrast with layered backgrounds of complex broken colors.

Katherine Mojzsis‘ confidently gestural works may remind the viewer of Franz Kline‘s paintings from the 1950s, or the taut post-surrealist compositions by Roberto Matta.

Composed entirely of paintings, Gone Swimming is unusual for Project Space, which has typically presented mixed media wall works and sculpture. Tom Duimstra has again curated an exhibition with a diverse selection of artists, which is true to the gallery’s mission.

Eric Schroeder is the only local artist included in Swimming. He works with SiTE:LAB, and is a resident furniture designer at BOLD Furniture in Muskegon. Currently a student at Kendall College of Art and Design, his mediums include furniture design as well as fine art.
A graduate of both the School of Visual Arts, and Hunter College in New York, Katherine Mojzsis has exhibited and curated on the east coast for the past ten years. Her work is included in many public collections.

Matthew Schaefer

Matt Wolcott has shown in Ohio, Michigan, and New York City. He is represented by The Marcia Evans Gallery in Columbus, and Hudson Gallery in Toledo,  where the artist resides. His work was featured in the February 2016 issue of Fresh Paint Magazine.

Matthew Schaefer is showcased in the June issue of Fresh Paint Magazine. He lives in Rapid City, South Dakota and exhibits internationally. Last June Schaefer was included in From the Earth to the Moon, at Rourke Art Museum in Fargo, North Dakota. This September Schaefer will be participating in an exhibition at Northern State University in South Dakota titled, Pareidolia.

Gone Swimming: Abstraction at 337, through July 2016.

337 Project Space
337 S. Division Ave.
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Summer Hours by appointment

Photos Courtesy of Tom Duimstra and Katherine Mojzsis

Katherine Mojzsis