Hear the Stars

Nathan Randall Green's richly colored abstract artwork is inspired by — and in turn aims to inspire — deep moments of contemplation on the grandeur and scale of the universe. Hear the Stars extends Green’s meditation on these themes with new works that embrace a looser, more intuitive approach. His inspiration is derived from the attempt to visually describe the exquisite and ethereal workings of the universe and translate that into abstract imagery, converting nebulous concepts into tangible, evocative works. Known for his distinctly tactile, almost sculptural approach to painting, Green uses paper pulp and gesso to create bumpy, organic surfaces onto which he layers acrylic paint, graphite, and ink. By applying graphic, geometric imagery on top of very textured surfaces, he combines the illusionary space of a painting with the physicality of sculpture. In this way, he complicates the notion of technical perfection, creating more nuanced, imperfect landscapes. In his previous works, Green focused on a singular theoretical concept for each painting, while, in these new works, he combines multiple ideas and reference materials in unexpected ways to create more visually complex compositions. Conceptually, the artist draws a connection between the pastimes of gazing at the stars and looking at art — both activities encourage viewers to slow down, step outside their corporeal bodies, and contemplate phenomena often overlooked in the sweeping rush of everyday life. The exhibition title, Hear the Stars, encourages viewers to broaden their perceptions of the possible and embrace a moment of contemplative wonder.