Michael Workman

The title of this painting show, curated by the School of the Art Institute's Julia Marsh, misleads viewers. The curatorial choices visibly teeter on the far edges of indecision, perhaps repulsing patrons whose tastes dictate consistency and attracting those who relish diversity. Marcelyn McNeil's oil on panel has been positioned to serve as the show's signature piece, inside the door of the first room. Its silver-painted surface, lined with what appear as scratches revealing black paint (they're actually on top of the silver) ends with a strip of orange, beige, blue and gray drip along the bottom. McNeil's piece struggles, however, with the even more elegant simplicity of Min Song's "Diamond," a text piece on three approximately 5-foot black panels. Much of the show plays out this way, and patrons will have to decide whether they're happy or made uncomfortable wandering through the center of this curatorial maelstrom.

"Under Run, A Painting Show" shows at Dogmatic Gallery, 1822 South Des Plaines, (312)587-9976, through January 31.

(2004-01-13)

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