Brice Marden, Joined, 2011, Oil and graphite on marble 26 3/4 x 6 5/8 inches; 68 x 17 cm

Reflecting the light and landscape of Greece, these paintings feature vibrant colors and geometric compositions, which subtly incorporate each piece of marble’s natural variations. Marden’s earlier series of paintings on marble, completed over a six-year period between 1981 and 1987, played a principal role in the transition from his early monochromatic paintings to the later calligraphic work.

Don’t miss this knock-out show at Matthew Marks. Until June 23rd.

Perhaps this is to be expected. Art is not a science; it does not proceed in a neat, linear progression. Artists often circle back, picking up ideas that their predecessors left undeveloped and trying to push them further…The titles tend toward exotic if not downright flashy. ‘Averroes’ and ‘Avicenna’ are named for Arab philosophers (of the 11th and 12th centuries); ‘Marquis de Portago’ commemorates a charismatic Spanish racecar driver who died in a fiery crash in 1957. The gaps between the stripes are much more definite than in the Black Paintings, since Mr. Stella outlined them in pencil, but a certain lack of neatness persists, especially when the stripes turn corners, contributing to ebullient play between figure and ground.—Roberta Smith, NYT

Stella’s work is on display through June 2 at L&M Arts

Polly Apfelbaum, Flatterland Funkytown, 2012

I’m either trying to get to abstraction or beginning with it. There has always been a tension between those elements in my work. In the past few years, I have changed the way I work in my studio. I spend more time thinking about how to make the work and how to play with elements of chance.

–Polly Apfelbaum

Sheila Hicks, Demenageur, 2008 Silk 9.125 x 8.125 inches 23.2 x 20.6 cm

MS. LÉVI-STRAUSS: You do a lot with your hands.

MS. HICKS: I’m working every day. Even if I don’t feel like working, I know that some people are coming to work today. I’ll go into the studio – I used to live right in the studio and just do whatever comes to mind. Just begin by doing, every day.

Read more.

Sheila Hicks’s work is on view at Sikkema Jenkins Co. until May 25.