Alex Katz at GAVIN BROWN’S ENTERPRISE and Meghan Brady & Gideon Bok at STEVEN HARVEY

James Kalm is out on a Sunday afternoon, doing what he does, when he steps into Gavin Brown’s Enterprise on the Lower East Side to view a drawing show by Alex Katz. With in minutes he bumps into Walter Robinson, Roberta Smith and Jerry Saltz (which tells one the esteem in which Katz is held by the New York critical establishment). These drawings are all from the last couple of years and feature studies of friends and family. Zipping north, we stop in to view a two person show by husband and wife painters Meghan Brady and Gideon Bok titled “Colors and the Kids” at Steven Harvey Fine Art Projects. Each of these artist’s work is enhanced by their mutual contrasts. While Bok renders obsessively detailed interiors in expressively rich textural oil paint, Meghan Brady creates coloristic studies with a complex layering of hues in graphic designs that recall classic modernist motifs and patchwork quilts. A musical introduction is provided by Little Walker. The Brady and Bok segment of this program was recorded May 8, 2016, and the Alex Katz segment was recorded May 15, 2016.

[@ellabiondi1251]

I like that you're not doing the noisy openings. I like your comments and now you can actually hear them with out the din of the crowd. Bravo!

[@clamda]

great words James as always . I like your surprise at the smudging given. Katz's love of flat colour for the effect of quick light. some of my favourites of his are the small oil studies he makes for larger work which often carry more feeling than the big harder works, thanks so much for this!

[@pjr5913]

little walker is straight up rock nroll. thnks james

[@pjr5913]

glad i made here for katz, not a fan of his painting but these drawings are it.

[@soothingtrax]

Another great report! Thank you kindly sir....

[@artpabha]

Thank you very much for this report.

[@sunlogosis]

some painters make you wanna paint, paint, paint, when you see their paintings. Gideon Bok is a badass. great paint sir.

[@dejuanhuntii2182]

Great report James

[@samradja5275]

Excellent

[@jjcoronadog100]

Great report!

[@sculptor3d]

As different as they are, I love the paintings of Gideon and Meghan. Steven Harvey ALWAYS puts on a great show. As far as Alex Katz is concerned I have to agree with spawnofdawnacle. Is he too famous for any sort of effort? Those drawings are awful, he has made a career out of not understanding shading, lights, shadows or half tones. So, why should I expect any more from his charcoal drawings? Maybe because that is the essence of drawing!