Classical art has long relied on precise geometries, using inherent ratios, angles, and symmetries to project a steady, pleasing stability. In her latest exhibition in Vermont, however, artist Sarah Walker purposefully turns that convention on its head with a series of intensely vivid compositions.
Currently on display through November 13 at the Hexum Gallery in Montpelier, Sarah Walker’s solo exhibition titled “Radiant Bodies” showcases intricate paintings built from layers of fluid acrylic paint. Rather than relying on rigid mathematical harmony, Walker allows her colors to flow freely across the canvas before corralling them within careful delineations.
Inside the Layered Geometries of ‘Radiant Bodies’
Walker covers portions of her work as it evolves, deliberately retaining traces of earlier layers beneath the surface. When a piece struggles to come together in the studio, she takes an aggressive approach to the canvas. Writing in an email, she noted that she will use a green dish pad to “scour the surface like an angry god.”
That visceral energy pulses directly through the final pieces, creating a striking tension between mathematical structure and raw organic chaos. Certain works evoke ancient artifacts, such as “Notes to Self,” which bears a visual resemblance to the face of an ancient fish god carved from malachite.
Futuristic Aesthetics Define Select Compositions
By contrast, other compositions lean heavily into futuristic aesthetics. The piece “Interspecies I” reads distinctly as science fiction, featuring radiating forms and a vibrant gem-tone palette that recalls a mothership designed by Versace.
Meanwhile, “Shimmer Portal” adopts a more ethereal tone, floating with a mandala-like spiritual quality that challenges viewers to consider whether abstract patterns and shapes can contain a life of their own.
Exhibition Runs Until November at Hexum Gallery
Art enthusiasts and visitors looking to view the collection in person have until November 13, 2026, to experience the exhibition at Hexum Gallery. The gallery will host a closing reception on Friday, November 6, from 4 to 8 p.m., marking the final opportunity to view the works together before the exhibition concludes.
