A Monumental Exhibit

Three monumental paintings by iconic abstract artist Jennifer Bartlett make up the entire exhibit in Epic Systems: Three Monumental Paintings, which opens tonight at the Cleveland Museum of Art. What’s so special about these three paintings you ask? Well, between them, Song (2007), Rhapsody (1975-6) and Recitative (2010) manage to span the entirety of Bartlett’s career; yet surprisingly, they have never before been shown together in the same place and time. The paintings share a musical theme, putting them in direct dialogue; yet they are also in contrast, resulting in a very unique exhibition. Working with the ideas of fragmentation and the modernist grid, Bartlett pushes the boundaries, creating a truly interesting and worthwhile exhibit despite its small size. (Trenholme)