these pieces finds a correct balance between painting and sculpture. According to her statement on her art Lipsett has an interest in heavy folded fabric and the sense of mystery implied by what is hidden in those folds.  You see this born out in the work but also something else.  At first these pieces seem to suggest small items of clothing casually thrown together.  But a closer look reveals the sophistication and complexity of the compositions.

Missy Lipsett, Mike Weiss Gallery

Having examined the obvious there are other features to this work that lift it out of the ordinary.  Start with the flat color which includes whites, grays, solid pastels and darker tones.  The color is flat, even as the surfaces are not which sets up another juxtaposition to chew on.  For example, take a piece which includes a simple combination of white, light brown, cream and two tones of blue.  Intellectually it’s understood that these colors are flat and evenly spread out on the canvas. Yet the folds and resulting contrasts of light and shadow alter the perception.   Each hue is possessed of lighter and darker variations which flesh out the dimensionality of the color.  However the effect is subtle given the overt treatment of 

Missy Lipsett, Mike Weiss Gallery

surface and outside edges.  In another confrontation with convention Lipsett has arranged the work all over the walls at varying heights. While some are at eye level others are above or below

Missy Lipsett, Relief, 2007, acrylic on unprimed folded canvas, 34 x 61 in