Steven Alexander visits the exhibition Julian Jackson: Crossing at Kathryn Markel Gallery, New York, on view through June 16, 2012.

Alexander writes: "The title calls attention to the grid which in these new paintings assumes a more prominent role, echoing not only the edges of the square formats, but beyond that, the architectural environment to which painting is historically and inextricably wedded. Employing ambiguous veils of softly modulated color, the artist creates scenarios of constantly shifting planes and spaces, like urban landscapes dissolved into pure light, that draw the viewer into their sensuous atmospheres."