November 15, 1992
"Bergen exhibit confronts viewer with bold colors"
Through Novemher, Ellen Sherman-Zinn of Warren exhibits her paintings at the Maurice Pine Library, Fair Lawn.
Sherman-Zinn usually works in a mixture of oils and acrylics, and in abstract expressionism with a dash of surrealism. Done in strong colors, with vigorous strokes and sharp contrasts, her works boldly confront the viewer.
Most often, she deals in vaguely rectangular areas that spring out, by virtue of their deep hues or outlines, from hazy backgrounds. Ectoplasmic forms in shades of blood red, dark blue and acid green stretch throughout "Sea Islands." "Three Black Spheres" features non-spherical shapes strongly outlined against misty gray. Many rectilinear areas combine to indicate a room with a window for Interiors,"
Two pale; softly biomorphic shapes lean fondly together in "Coupling." A purplish stalk uncoils against a weird landscape In "Phantasm." Half-seen figures wander across three panels, emerging like ghosts from the black background; in "Procession."
"Loss of Shanna" is another dark, sinister piece, with a rather fetal shape floating In darkness between two complex, visceral looking slabs.
The most clearly figurative work is "Fashion Director," which depicts its title character head-on. She is a monstrous figure in a multicolored skirt and billowing sleeves, with red nails, spherical breasts and curling horns. Since the artist spent 16 years working in the New York fashion industry, one can only imagine what this harridan boss did to her, to leave such a lasting impression!
Sherman-Zinn's missed media drawings have a lighter feeling, in every sense. "Hot Times" suggests beach weather, with its wavy black lines like watery currents, amorphous islands and bright, triangular boat sails. Glitter enlivens "Blues Sails In Sunset," and squiggles and scalloped patterns dance through "Court Time."
