For Li, the painting is to be taken at on its own terms, as paint, color, texture, shape, and relationship that exist almost solely for themselves. Nicoletti evokes the real landscape as part of his artistic purpose. Li's paintings are the landscape. They are just as coherent as Nicoletti's, but it's a different kind of meaning.
Bringing these two artists together was great idea, the kind of thing that can only happen by chance. Both are very good at what they do, and share a love for painting and the landscape. By considering their differences we can see each of them better.
Ken Greenleaf can be reached at ken.greenleaf@gmail.com.
"FROM AWAY" | paintings by Joseph Nicoletti + Ying Li | through May 30 | at Greenhut Galleries, 146 Middle St, Portland | 207.772.2693
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, China, Painting, Visual Arts, Bates College, Bates College, Ken Greenleaf, Greenhut Galleries, Greenhut Galleries, Less
