Washington, DC—City Gallery’s May exhibition “Light and Allusion” showcases Nancy Donnelly’s
elegant glass art and Jill Finsen’s whimsically primitive paintings executed in oil paint. The opening
reception with the artists is Saturday, May 1, 6:00–9:00 PM. The public is invited to attend.
Fascination with color is apparent in the work of both these artists. These pieces sing out - they
raise the possibility that good humor can be engendered bycolor alone. Allusive of the natural
world, they are at the same time direct and accessible. Surface is paramount to the success of these
artpieces—the smoothness of the glass contrasts with layered textures in the paintings. The colors
of glass and paintings complement each other and pull the exhibit in newand exciting visual direc-
tions. Both artists find negative space crucial to this effect, moments of rest that energize each work.
Donnelly and Finsen’s works provide tension between familiarity and abstraction and at the same
time question placement within imagined space.
Having read deeply in anthropological literature, Donnelly is convinced that the images that keep
our attention, images wekeep coming back to again and again, strike towardour common basis in
ancient humanity—images of nature, of our creativity, of striving, and of community.
With allusions to the works of early 20th century American painters and the Fauvists, Finsen’s
paintings are a journey, from representation to abstraction and from visible hues and shapes to more
psychologically charged compositions.
The exhibit runs through May 29.
City Gallery is located at 804 H Street #1. The gallery's normal hours at 1-5pm Friday and Saturday's, and by appointment.
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