This April, artist Shar Coulson presents M I N D B E N D E R S: Layered in Unexpected Truths, a new solo exhibition at Nüart Gallery that explores the shifting space between abstraction and recognition.

Coulson’s paintings begin intuitively—web-like drips and delicate organic patterns form the foundation for compositions that evolve into forms at once familiar and elusive. Faces, figures, and natural elements seem to emerge and recede, inviting viewers into a quiet act of discovery. Her work reflects a deeply human instinct: the search for meaning within ambiguity.

Balancing fragility with bold, gestural movement, Coulson creates layered surfaces where vulnerability and strength coexist. Her process embraces unpredictability, allowing unexpected moments to guide the outcome. “I live for the moments when unexpected mistakes become beautiful truths,” she says. “What emerges often reveals more than anything I could have planned.”

Color plays a central role—vibrant, rhythmic, and alive—echoing the pulse of the natural world. Inspired by the interplay of wind and water, flora and fauna, Coulson’s paintings feel both grounded and atmospheric—structured yet free-flowing.

Formally trained in classical figurative realism, Coulson has evolved toward abstraction as a way to explore perception and inner landscapes more fully. Her work invites viewers not just to look, but to participate—to discover their own meanings within her layered compositions.

Shar Coulson lives and works in Chicago. This is her third solo exhibition at Nüart Gallery. The artist will be present for the opening reception.