Matt Bollinger at Zurcher Gallery

‘This is the American dream gone wrong’ declared a review of past work by Matt Bollinger whose paintings were inspired by the people and places of the artist’s home state, Kansas.  Bollinger is back with new work at Zurcher Gallery featuring electric colors that run counter to his usual muted tones, but which make the the weariness of his characters all the more noticeable.  Even when they’re in public, Bollinger’s characters are alone, caught in a moment of reflection and looking devastated.  (On view on the Lower East Side through April 29th.  Masks and social distancing are required.)

Matt Bollinger, Countdown, flashe and acrylic on canvas, 48 x 38 inches, 2021.

Matt Bollinger at Zurcher Gallery

A heavy, fascinating stillness pervades Matt Bollinger’s paintings and animation at Zurcher Gallery on the Lower East Side, extending even to this sculpture of a hand ashing a cigarette. The hand (crafted in resin and foam with painted highlights) looks like it’s been extracted from a painting, miraculously appearing in 3-D form before us. (On view through Dec 21st).

Matt Bollinger, Ash, resin, foam, wood and acrylic, 11 x 12 x 12 inches, 2017.