Hosted by Detroit’s Library Street Collective, New York-based contemporary artist Sam Friedman will exhibit new paintings as part of his exhibition titled “Light.” The show will feature dynamic compositions of abstract landscapes by Friedman curated by KAWS.

Continuing to explore nature, a selection of new works draw inspiration from observations of naturalistic elements in his hometown of upstate New York while paying homage to the Abstract Expressionist painters that came before him through his approach to line, color and paint.

“The sentient paintings within the exhibition draw from earlier works that distill natural phenomena (sunset, sunrise, rainfall) down to their most essential elements of line and color. Like the New York Abstract Expressionists of the 1950s, he explores abstraction in order to touch on concepts that are more existential in nature – life and death, love, spirituality, and a range of universal human emotions that allow the viewer to manifest their own pure and innate response,” said the gallery in a statement.

Friedman mastered his artistic abilities as a painter in KAWS’ studio during the period he spent as KAWS’s manager. “Donnelly’s masterful handling of a longhaired brush while laying down flawless and continuous strokes of paint, along with his use of intense color, left a lasting impression. It is with gratitude that we welcome KAWS as curator of Sam’s exhibition,” the gallery added.

Sam Friedman “Light” will be on display from February 27 until April 3 at Library Street Collective 1274 Library St. Detroit, MI 48226. Visit Library Street Collective’s website website to learn more.