Martos Gallery offers a slice of serenity in the heart of New York with its latest exhibition, Christopher Astley’s ‘Terrain’. Paintings from the artist’s eponymous new series, accompanied by a selection of previous works, offer a moment to ponder and admire the visual language that hints at countryside landscapes and clusters of forestry.
The Terrain series (2020, ongoing) utilises oil paints to create a depth that imitates a collage-like landscape. By using varying hues of green, Astley creates a camouflaged world in which the subject matter isn't obvious. The bird’s-eye view suggests, at first, identifiable trees, paths, fields and hills, yet the angular shapes give the series an abstract feel. Astley has presented an alternative natural world that juxtaposes neatly with Martos Gallery’s urban location.
