“What is it that sparks excitement?” she reflects. “It’s a question whose mysteries are graciously accepted as unexplainable. Painting is a process of exploration of this question.”
Heichemer’s emphasis on space is key to the viewer’s experience. “I usually have an ‘in’ somewhere in my works, a space for the viewer to ‘enter’ into the painting [...]. I’m reminding them of their own space, of that infinite energy within that they may have forgotten about, or that they see in themselves when looking at the painting.” This invitation to intimate engagement is amplified by the small scale of her works, which beckon the viewer closer. Their square format evokes snapshots - quiet yet potent moments that call for concentrated attention and contemplation.
Within these roiling spaces, Heichemer’s marks shift between cloudy wisps and dense, congealed forms. They collide, overlap, and tumble, giving shape to this kinetic field. Soft-spoken yet powerful, Heichemer’s paintings revive the lyrical tradition of Abstraction, offering a sanctuary of gentle energy and intimate reflection.
Hollis Heichemer holds a BSc from Ohio University and an MA from Seton Hall University. A contemporary American painter, Heichemer is known for her expressive, abstract works that explore the emotional resonance of landscape, light, and memory. She is represented by Hollis Taggart Gallery in New York, where she has presented solo exhibitions including Happenstance. Her work has also been featured in solo shows at Gross McCleaf Gallery and Rosenfeld Gallery in Philadelphia, as well as J. Cacciola Gallery in New York. She has participated in group exhibitions at Stanek Gallery (Philadelphia), Dolby Chadwick Gallery (San Francisco), Sugarlift (New York), and the Ballinglen Museum of Art (Ireland). Heichemer’s paintings are included in numerous private and public collections.
