Buster Levi Gallery is pleased to present Atmospheric Geometry paintings by Ann Provan and Bill Kooistra at 121 Main Street in Cold Spring, New York. The exhibition will run from November 1 to November 30, 2025. There will be an opening reception for the artists on Saturday November 1 from 6-8 pm.

With a quick glance, the work in this show by Provan and Kooistra appears to have little in common with the exception of being paintings using a geometric foundation. Though their use of geometric shapes are very different in particular the amount used in each painting, their intentions for the work has similarities. On the formal side, both stress two dimensionality in the work while including interest in a limited amount of depth. For Provan, it is her interest in optical illusions where: “the geometric  shapes invert and go backwards and forwards in space, playing with perception.” In Kooistra’s work, his shapes that utilize hard and soft edges hover in fields of color drifting in front of and behind each other. Neither artist is interested in spatial stability or precision geometry, opting instead for ambiguity.

The most fundamental similarity between their work is an interest in atmosphere. In an interview with Provan, Meg Hitchcock suggested that her work had an atmospheric quality which she referred to as ‘Atmospheric Abstraction’  Provan responded that she liked that label pointing out that she is moved by nature and tries to capture the transition of light that she sees. Indeed, there is a definite sense of light filtering through leaves in her work. Kooistra’s work is also influenced by landscape, in particular the changes of color and light in the field behind his home. While the colors used by each artist are not bound by local colors, they are both trying to create what Provan refers to as a sensitive space that is vulnerable. Both artists are interested in finding a place for their work that exists between paintings that do not directly reference the natural world and work that draws much of their inspiration from the direct experience of nature hoping that the viewer can share that experience.

The gallery will be open Saturday and Sunday from noon to five pm.

For more information: busterlevigallery.com

Artist Websites:

Ann Provan

Bill Kooistra