Passion fruit

There’s something about the space at the Artists Contemporary Gallery that lends itself to solo shows that reflect a progression on a theme. The recent work by Steve Wiget, currently on display, is no exception. The mixed-media paintings/drawings are of fruit, usually placed on a solitary dish resting on a table top. It’s noticeable after taking in all of the pieces that the horizon line slowly disappears, then the shadow under the dish, until even the dish is merely suggested. This body of work may sound boring from this description, but the work is dazzling. Watercolor fields create surfaces that little specks of bright color from pastels help bring the objects to life. It’s easy to pick up on the passion Wiget exudes for such simple subject matter, persuading the viewer to realize that it isn’t necessarily so simple after all.