For the month of July, Russo Lee Gallery presents Abstraction by Sherrie Wolf. Known for her intricate still lifes and evocative compositions, Wolf’s new body of work captures the beauty and complexity of form found in the familiar, from bustling produce markets in Italy and Mexico to intimate corners of Wolf’s home and studio. Richly rendered paintings of fruits, shoes, neckties, and vintage vessels become studies in color, shape, and space.
“These scenes offer a visual feast of form and color,” says Wolf. “Nature’s abundance becomes a point of departure for abstraction.” A central thread of the exhibition is Wolf’s exploration of Pumps and Brogues—sparked by a spontaneous glance at her own shoes on the studio floor. These works investigate pairings, separations, and the subtle anthropomorphic qualities of everyday items.
From well-worn black pumps to a beloved brother’s necktie, each object is a talisman—holding memory, evoking presence, and inviting reflection on gender roles and nostalgia. Throughout the series, light plays a vital role. Reflections on glossy surfaces echo the surrounding hues, while restrained backgrounds—often rendered in shades of red—create emotional resonance and symbolic depth. “Red has an emotional connection for me,” Wolf notes. “It’s the lipstick of my youth, and a color with infinite variation and deep associations.”