Kinetic Atmosphere brings together the work of Constance Kheel and James Paterson – two artists working in very different mediums, yet united through a shared interest in movement, rhythm, energy, and transformation. Pairing Kheel’s expansive abstract paintings with Paterson’s whimsical kinetic wire sculptures creates a dynamic conversation between stillness and motion, atmosphere and interaction, contemplation and play.

The exhibition also marks the 14th anniversary of The Laffer Gallery – a milestone celebrating fourteen years of exhibiting contemporary art in Schuylerville and fostering meaningful connections between artists, collectors, and community. Kinetic Atmosphere feels especially fitting for the occasion, bringing together two artists whose work embodies creativity, curiosity, experimentation, and a sense of discovery.

Kheel’s paintings explore the tension between structure and spontaneity. Geometric forms drift through layered veils of color and texture, expanding and collapsing like distant celestial bodies or shifting landscapes viewed through memory. Built slowly over time through pouring, brushing, tilting, and layering paint, the work possesses both a meditative calm and an explosive physical energy. Her paintings invite viewers to slow down, look deeply, and experience subtle shifts in color, depth, and surface.

In contrast, Paterson’s sculptures engage the body as much as the eye. Constructed from intricately woven wire and often activated through movement, the sculptures introduce a sense of curiosity, humor, and interaction into the exhibition. Their spinning forms, mechanical rhythms, and vibrant colors create moments of surprise and delight, encouraging viewers to physically participate in the experience of the work.

Together, the exhibition creates an environment that feels alive – one where paintings pulse with movement and sculptures seem to breathe and respond. Kinetic Atmosphere is ultimately about energy in all its forms: visual, physical, emotional, and sensory. Though their approaches differ dramatically, Kheel and Paterson each create work that transforms space and invites viewers into a deeper awareness of motion, balance, and presence.