Though he's done abstract all his life, this is only the second time he's exhibited it, and it's the first time he's had it dominate one of his exhibitions. He's not sure how it's going to be received. For someone who's the toast of the art world, relaxing among his friends and admirers, Abla seems surprisingly ill at ease. He follows their progress from painting to painting, looking troubled when they pass one over. I hate exhibitions.
Murky colors predominate.
You might catch a flash of red or yellow, but only under swathes of olive drab. To like his paintings, he says, you must take the time to peer through the layers. I hope that each viewer can stay for a minute in front of each painting. I hope that maybe they can experience 10 percent of what I felt when I did it. That's why we try again.