Gina Keatley: Expanding the Boundaries of Abstract Expressionism

The landscape of contemporary art is constantly shifting, and few figures embody its evolution quite like Gina Keatley. A former cultural entrepreneur turned abstract expressionist, Keatley has rapidly established herself as both a creator and a catalyst for change within the art world. Her work and vision reflect a commitment to pushing beyond traditional boundaries—on the canvas, within gallery spaces, and across digital platforms.

Keatley’s paintings sit at the intersection of control and spontaneity, discipline and wild intuition. Her Untamed Moderns portfolio—marked by stark monochromes, unexpected flashes of mandarin orange, and fractured compositional structures—captures her relentless exploration of contrast. Whether it’s the textured subtlety of The Linen Series or the visceral energy of The Sow Series, her work invites viewers into a dialogue between order and chaos. In just over a year, Keatley has produced more than 50 original works, a testament to her relentless drive to explore and expand the language of abstraction.

Her rapid artistic ascent is matched by her impact as a curator and community builder. In 2024, Keatley founded Bushwick Gallery in Brooklyn’s vibrant Bushwick neighborhood. What began as a personal studio project quickly evolved into a fully realized gallery space, offering a platform for emerging and mid-career artists to take creative risks. Under her leadership, Bushwick Gallery has hosted curated exhibitions featuring more than 40 artists, developed an artist residency program, and participated in notable events such as the Hamptons Fine Art Fair.

"Art is not passive—it invites engagement, urgency, and the courage to be unsettled," says Keatley. "At Bushwick Gallery, we embrace the unexpected, creating space for artists to take meaningful risks and for audiences to experience work in new and impactful ways."

The gallery’s success reflects Keatley’s broader philosophy: that art should provoke, disrupt, and invite reflection. Her curatorial style mirrors her painting practice—bold, concept-driven, and deeply intentional.

Continuing her momentum into 2025, Keatley is preparing to debut a bold new series titled Miles at the Hamptons Fine Art Fair. Named after cities she loves—ranging from Cape Town to Palermo to Madrid—Miles captures the spirit of adventure, movement, and the emotional resonance of travel. Each large-scale work, measuring 60 by 48 inches, reflects a journey not just across geography, but across feeling—translating the colors, textures, and vitality of these cities into dynamic fields of abstraction. Rooted in the joy of discovery and the energy of exploration, Miles represents an exciting evolution in Keatley’s practice, expanding her focus from inner landscapes to the broader world beyond.

Extending her vision into the digital sphere, Keatley also launched The Vault, Bushwick Gallery’s online extension, providing curated access to international artists for collectors and curators around the world. As the relationship between digital platforms and fine art continues to evolve, Keatley’s dual commitment to curation and accessibility places her at the forefront of contemporary gallery innovation.

Whether through her dynamic canvases, her exhibitions at Bushwick Gallery, or her pioneering work with The Vault, Gina Keatley is carving out a new path within contemporary abstraction—one that honors tradition while embracing evolution. Her dual identity as both artist and curator allows her to navigate the shifting boundaries between physical and digital spaces with authenticity and vision. At a time when contemporary art demands new models of engagement, Gina Keatley is not just responding—she is actively shaping what comes next.

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