Koehnline showcases abstract paintings by Chicago artist

The vibrant, contemporary and intuitive works of Chicago-based artist Bruce Thorn come to life at a free exhibition that starts Thursday, Feb. 5, at Oakton Community College's Koehnline Museum of Art, 1600 E. Golf Road, Des Plaines.

A public reception for "As If There's No Tomorrow: Abstract Paintings by Bruce Thorn" runs from 5 to 8 p.m. on opening night. The display runs through Friday, March 20.

Thorn's paintings are reflections upon the brevity of time and the essence of life, character and work itself. He uses abstraction as a language to comment upon social and natural situations, while the material qualities of paint create journeys of visual exploration and invention.

"I am fascinated by the intrinsic visual and tactile qualities of paint as paint, how sensitive brushwork, movement, surface, color and light modulations can express intuitive, analytical and mystical ideas," he said.

The museum is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For information, call (847) 635-2633, or visit www.oakton.edu/museum.