Abstract artist Mary Heilmann calms us down
By Ellen Griley

Abstract art isn’t something I’m entirely comfortable appreciating—I might enjoy looking at a large canvas that’s been painted varying shades of red, but that’s pretty much all I can offer: “I really like this one.” And I suppose it’s my inability to defend such a stance—“This one’s cool, too”—that, well, makes me very nervous in the presence of abstract art. Seriously. Nervous.

But if Valium were to ever take on a human form—even if for just this one dilemma—it would be in the image of Mary Heilmann, whose “Mary Heilmann and Friends” panel (which led into the opening of the Orange County Museum of Art’s retrospective show, “Mary Heilmann: To Be Someone”) provided the best context I’ve ever heard an artist give her work: Relax. Whatever you think about my stuff is up to you.

Not that the New York-based Heilmann said this in so many exact words—although she did admit to initially becoming involved in art for the sole purpose of making friends and meeting guys—but you could sense, both in listening to Heilmann talk and to her friends talk about her, that she really doesn’t care what you think about her art—that you think at all while examing her works (from abstract paintings to ceramics to a set of colorful wooden chairs) is enough.

“Humble” is probably how a lot of us felt as the panel ended—humbled by Heilmann’s humility—and as I made the rounds through “To Be Someone” my appreciation for her grew. I’m not easily moved by art, but here I found myself reacting to color (didn’t know this, but Heilmann evidently championed the pink and black color combo) to shapes (or lack thereof) and space—and I have only the artist herself to thank for that, for helping to disable my nerves. I really liked the show. And that’s all I have to say.

MARY HEILMANN: TO BE SOMEONE ORANGE COUNTY MUSEUM OF ART | 850 SAN CLEMENTE DR | NEWPORT BEACH | 949.759.1122 | OCMA.NET | OPEN WED-SUN 11AM-5PM AND THURS 11AM-8PM | $8-10 | THRU AUG 26