The elements in a Stuart Shils painting – whether structure, palette or touch – are rich, warm and resonant, like a cello.  The artist himself describes the interaction of perception, memory and facture in Bergsonian terms: “Even when right out in front of things with brush in hand, a million bits of information and fact dancing temptingly and distractingly before the eyes, when turning back to the working surface, it’s the layering, editing and reconstruction of memory that informs compositional decisions… Regardless of whether outside or in the studio, ambition is to stay honed in the visual moment sustaining perceptual unity, even though making the drawing or painting requires the passing of time that often erodes the force of initial impact or memory of impact.”

Stuart Shils: The Residue of Memory continues at Steven Harvey Fine Art Projects, 208 Forsyth Street between Houston and Rivington streets, New York City, 917-861-7312, through May 27

Stuart Shils, How Did I Find My Way Back From Here?, 2012.  Oil on panel, two panel, 20 x 32 inches. Courtesy of Steven Harvey Fine Art Projects