Local artist Richard Allen will give a presentation on Abstract Art at 4 p.m. on Thursday, April 13, at Gallery 302 in Bridgton.

The theme of his talk is expressed in the following quote by the painter Fairfield Porter: “The important thing for critics to remember is the subject matter in abstract painting and the abstraction in representational work.” A primary source for this discussion is the book, “The Painter’s Mind,” written by Romare Bearden and Carl Holty. Even though the book was published in 1969, it is an excellent analysis of structure and space in painting – universal concepts that transcend specific subject matter.

Some questions that will be considered: What do we mean by abstract? What do we mean by the picture plane and why is it important? What are structural design elements that are universally applicable to both representational and abstract paintings? How does the painter create space in painting? How do design decisions contribute to expressive content in painting?

The content of the book is important as a framework for the presentation, but we will also examine the work of artists as a further means of exploring the connections that relate to both abstract and representational art.

Gallery 302 is an artists cooperative located at 112 Main St., Bridgton. For more information, call 207-647-2787 or visit gallery302.com.