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Fred MouNo Nature Acrylic on Paper 12” x 16.5” Space Crystal Acrylic on Paper 12” x 16.5”An archetypal dance pervadesFred Mou’s vivid paintings, ashe explores the transformation of theenergy of “hot” intuitive expressionisminto the information of “cool” measuredminimalism. The control he showsover his palette, for example, channelsthe creative impulse’s tendency tounrestricted exploration into powerfullymoving abstract imagery. In addition, alove of the stasis of solid forms is oftenin fundamental balance with a desirefor motion expressed through line. Thenecessary tension one feels in viewingthis imagery is a response to the tectonicshifting of a mature artist at work bringingengaging, deeply beautiful images to thecanvas.The delights for the eye are strong here,too. Fred’s work is pleasingly whimsicalwithout lapsing into cuteness, and italso draws upon graffiti’s strengths - itsaggressive lines demanding the viewer’sattention - while avoiding the well-knownraggedness of graffiti. This artist’s visualsense is also sensitive to the sublime andthe dramatic. He likes jagged horizonsand sinuous patterns that would be athome floating in the air, the sea or evenwithin our own bloodstreams.The added biological aspect to Fred’swork is used powerfully when he wedsit to a commentary on human nature.This dialectic between the micro andmacro touches upon his primary concernover the dynamics of archetypes in thehuman personality. Unearthing suchFred at work in his Studiopsychological structures can oftenrender the subject dry, yet Fred’s work,like all effective visual information, getsin under the radar we put up to live in thecontemporary world. He embraces art’strue calling of getting past our defenses.Finally, the evil that is in nature is alsopresent in this work, overtly or implied,and yet, like his representations ofbeauty and tranquility, is abstracted freeof all judgment, and we see the face ofnature anew, as we recognize the faceof humans within their psychologicalshells.www.fredmou.comwww.Agora-Gallery.com/ArtistPage/Fred_Mou.aspx23 ARTisSpectrum