In a striking departure from her earlier figurative work, Chicago-based artist Lindsay Adams presents her West Coast debut, “Keep Your Wonder Moving,” at Sean Kelly, Los Angeles. This exhibition, running from January 18 to March 8, 2025, marks Adams’ inaugural solo show with the gallery and showcases her evolution into abstract expressionism.
The exhibition’s title, borrowed from a note by poet Patricia Spears Jones to philosopher Audre Lorde, sets the tone for a collection that pushes the boundaries of imagination and personal narrative. Adams’ transition to abstraction is not merely a stylistic shift; it represents a deeper exploration of conceptual storytelling and cultural reflection.
Eleven abstract paintings occupy the third floor of Sean Kelly, each a testament to Adams’ alchemical approach to her craft. Her canvases are alive with movement, as layers of pigment are built up, washed away, and manipulated. This process results in complex surfaces that invite prolonged contemplation, challenging viewers to question the very nature of form and representation.
In works like “Rhythm With Blues,” electric yellows and soft lavenders dance against a backdrop of inky blue, evoking a field of abstracted flora that defies traditional constraints. Adams’ compositions become portals to imagined ecologies, where color and gesture engage in an ongoing dialogue with the viewer’s perception.
At its core, “Keep Your Wonder Moving” is an exploration of resilience, freedom, and the lived experiences of Black womanhood. Adams transforms her canvases into aspirational spaces, fostering intimate encounters with self-discovery and resistance against societal norms. Her work asserts its presence within the broader discourse of artistic and social transformation, positioning painting as both a reflective and generative act.
Adams’ artistic journey is as compelling as her work. Currently finalizing her MFA at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, she has already garnered significant recognition, including the prestigious Helen Frankenthaler Award in 2024. Her rapid ascent in the art world is further evidenced by the inclusion of her work in collections such as the Baltimore Museum of Art and Northwestern Law School.
As viewers navigate “Keep Your Wonder Moving,” they are invited to engage with Adams’ complex abstract vernacular. The exhibition challenges us to embrace the unknown, to find meaning in ambiguity, and to keep our own wonder moving through the ever-evolving landscape of contemporary art.
