SURFACE TREATMENT: 'When Reasons Rhyme'

Jessica Monroe’s latest paintings successfully combine formal opposites. Rhythms of natural shapes play against a rational grid in life forces made manifest. "When Reason Rhymes" is currently on display at ManicHaus.

Monroe presents individual, and paintings in series, representing differing subjects, yet all juxtapose representational imagery against a structural grid, creating her rhyme-reason visual dichotomy. The concept is well managed. The Sunflower Series is a striking example of Monroe’s focus. In these small but important paintings, sections of sunflower blossoms and stems are shown in their wild and unruly state. They emanate beauty through an awareness of the force of life; tonal contrasts and the artist’s unique point of depiction combine to make this happen. The grid is visible in the background, and, somewhat subdued, continues across the sunflower image. This visual conceit is a constant throughout the exhibit.

"In these paintings, I explore the relationship between the structural grid and the more fluid ‘characters’ depicted in the image,’” explained Monroe. “The grid mirrors our own cultural need for structure though language, social hierarchies and networks, while the less defined movement of light and color represents those aspects of life both integral and indescribable.”

The large painting, In Between, portrays a child at the Baptismal. The grid and the subject/character merge exquisitely in this interpretation of existence development. As we see the grid merge with the folds of the Baptismal gown and pass across other patterns, an unexpected pattern of movement across the painting’s surface occurs.

The other large painting in the show depicts a Rodeo slice of life; this composition includes a horse’s head and front hooves, partial images of three wranglers, and a metal gate. The grid is given a more active role here. While the horse appears to almost penetrate the grid through tone and hue, the wranglers are held firmly behind it. The gate becomes a secondary grid. Reason may not rhyme smoothly at the rodeo.

The Lucy Series is informed by the discovery of the Hominid species’ skeleton, nicknamed “Lucy,” that preceded modern humans. This subject is particularly appropriate to Monroe’s concept in that Lucy may be considered a grid, or structure, between the early apelike Hominids and the development of modern humans.

The negative spaces in the majority of Monroe’s paintings expose her unprimed linen canvas. The fabric’s texture plays well with the grid in conveying a sense of order. Upon the linen, brush strokes become smooth, giving a subtle softness to the finished image.

"My work deals with the balance of complementary forces," said Monroe, "such as, male/female, structure/non-structure, and similarity/difference, which is fundamental in the nature of all things."

The summer hours are restrictive for this exhibit, but "When Reason Rhymes" deserves to be seen. Make an appointment.

"When Reason Rhymes" by Jessica Monroe      

• Where: ManicHaus, Modern Art Space, 1301-B, N. Main Street, McAllen    
• When: through August 27. Hours are Saturday noon-6pm, by appointment, and during special events.              
• Contact: 956-207-0940 or e-mail: manichaus@gmail.com

Nancy Moyer, Professor Emerita of Art from UTPA, is an art critic for The Monitor. She may be reached at nmoyer@rgv.rr.com