“Inside Out,” a retrospective of Deborah Buck’s provocative, abstract paintings will be on view in the Gilette Gallery at the Garrison Art Center in Garrison, NY, April 7 – May 6, 2012. In addition, “What’s Inside?,” an exhibition of Buck’s recent acrylic works on paper, is on view at Julie Saul Gallery (New York City) through May 5, 2012. An illustrated catalog has been published in conjunction with both shows and includes an essay by Lilly Wei. Copies are available upon request.

“Inside Out” will include a selection of 16 to 18 Deborah Buck’s works on paper and large-scale oils on canvas. These colorful, expressive compositions, which span a period of twenty years, show the range of Buck’s skill and sensibilities. “Piano Legs” (1991) and “Up in the Air” (2004) are examples of her masterful handling of paint and demonstrate her wit, humor and curiosity. Although the imagery is abstract, the pictures invite interpretation or suggest a narrative.

Secret worlds and fairy tales such as Wonderland are a consistent point of departure for Buck’s practice. The centralized forms, anthropomorphic wrapped objects, which are the subject of Buck’s paintings are both inviting and slightly sinister. Her vocabulary of form is distinctive and grows out of organic surrealism.

“The work is smart in every sense of the word,” says Bill Burback, curator of Buck’s show and President of the Board of Directors at Garrison Art Center. “What impresses me is the boldness, strength and originality of her imagery along with the consistency of her vision. She loves paint and has a resourceful – accomplished hand and an impressive command of the medium. Buck’s work offers many rewards. They all make you want to know her.”