Sure, it’s great when an artist strikes out in some innovative direction or creates some unexpected look.
But sometimes, handsome, technically proficient painting is good enough, because, odd as it might sound, there isn’t nearly enough of it in an art world whose values often lie elsewhere.
Evergreen artist Sharon Feder supplies just such painting in a group of 11 cityscapes on view in “Passages,” a duo exhibition that runs through May 17 at the small, ideally sized Ironton Gallery.
These oils on panel depict Denver’s fast-changing River North district, focusing on railyards, industrial buildings and the faceless, often-ignored terrain around it.
As noted earlier, there is little that is particularly unusual about Feder’s subject matter or arguably old-fashioned approach. But it’s hard not to admire her virtuosic handling of paint, which she applies exclusively with a palette knife, creating vibrant, textured surfaces.
The only aspect of her work that is especially “contemporary” is the kind of detached feel her works possess, especially “Building No. 2,” where everything seems distant and anonymous, because there are no signs, no markings on the trucks or buildings.
While Feder can pack a lot into her 18-by-12-inch panels, the bigger works draw the most attention, especially “Trainyard No. 2,” a railyard scene colorfully dappled in rich, late-afternoon sun, and “Trainyard No. 1,” apparently the same place, from a slightly different point of view.
Also on view are six steel sculptures by John Ferguson of Denver, including five tall, tapered ones, each with a blocky inset on top. Though essentially abstract, these pieces cannot help but suggest figures.
Like Feder’s paintings, there is nothing particularly new or distinctive in any of them. They are simply solid, well-crafted pieces, and, once again, that’s good enough.
“Passages”
Art Ironton Gallery, 3636 Chestnut Place. An exhibition of paintings by Sharon Feder and steel sculptures by John Ferguson. Through May 17. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays. Free. 303-297-8626 or .
