Alice Tippit’s pared-down, graphically bold paintings – now on view at Nicelle Beauchene Gallery – feature clearly defined objects seen in silhouette, yet they are deliberately difficult to read. Carefully chosen titles add to the ambiguity and to the sense that the potential meaning behind each painting is a puzzle to be cracked. This painting’s blue/white color scheme hints at icy ocean depths alluded to in the title ‘I Sea,’ which is also reminiscent of the frosty response, ‘I see.’ Balance creates additional drama as a floating hammer supports a possibly fragile vase on which rests a cigarette that recalls a smoking gun. (On view in Tribeca through April 29th.
