Bryan Spier: Pseudo-iterative paintings

Pseudo-iterative paintings is Bryan Spier's sixth solo presentation with the gallery, and comprises a suite of new meticulously constructed paintings on paper and canvas. The exhibition continues the artist's interest in abstractionist works that question the idea of painting in a world saturated with the digital and the technological. As pure abstraction, Spier's paintings are largely self-referential and formalist in that they address the compositional elements of colour, line, shape and texture, as well as refering to other of his paintings. 

Inspired by the colour theories of Johannes Itten and Joseph Albers—specifically the abstract yet demonstrative illustrations that accompany their texts—Spier uses the principles of colour mixing to add, divide and multiply structural shapes into increasingly complex compositions. Pseudo-iterative paintings sees hints of Albers' style combined with surrealist tricks of the eye. The layered paper sheets are reminiscent of books or comics at this scale yet are still boldly declarative; something akin to visual puzzles that keep the viewer engaged.