In man's consciousness the idea of choice has been usually approached from the point of view of alternatives. Ray Brown is aware that sequence differs from po­larity. By simultaneously juxtaposing variants of the same scene he illumi­nates the shared and relative character of choice, setting for himself in the meantime some very challenging pic­torial dilemmas. The two sides of his doubled image canvases are autono­mous color tonalities which at the same time work together. Variations in ges­ture, shadow and value alter the expres­sion of the analogous paintings while Brown occasionally interpolates, re­moves or relocates a hand, window or tree creating elaborations in both the visual and psychological reality of the sequences. The works require and justi­fy prolonged observation. Here is a painter with a personal approach to color who avoids the easy solvency of favorite schemes. One equally adept at handling heavily patterned passages and planar ones, and who is experiment­ing with changes to scale as a means of extending the dimensions of painting to again include not only spate but time, for the same image seen laterally and altered in size teases our interpre­tive faculties. Fruitfully lacking in the stale aura of “establishment,” Ray Brown is so involved in making paint­ings that you can sense his anticipation of the next canvas as he explores the one in front of him. The present exhibi­tion includes nothing cursory or expe­dient, since the artist consistently de­mands from himself a full measure.

—Rosalind G. Wholden