By SIVAN LAVIE June 14, 2026

Adam Rabinowitz meets the viewer at GongGong with his faithful devotion to a soak-dye method on linen. The craft-driven part of his practice, soaking and layering his canvases, is reminiscent of both 1960s tie-dye practices as well as Helen Frankenthaler’s pour paintings. He then adds a silk-screened or acrylic painted layer, carefully considered and created, encompassing at times nature-driven, at others Disney inspired imagery that floats in the skyscape. The resulting paintings are a mix of goofy-kitsch and painterly-spiritual. 

Adam Rabinowitz Falling Shapes, 2026 Acrylic on linen 72 x 60 in

The name of the show, GongGong, is inspired by a tiny, mysterious planet in the solar system, as well as a Chinese deity responsible for the balance and chaos of the earth. Likewise, GongGong evokes a drone call for meditation. Rabinowitz’s sunset

backdrops give rise and fall to imagery, that we can examine in quiet contemplation. This serenity of focused observation is reminiscent of desert works by Agnes Martin and Georgia O’Keefe, for whom revering the sky is also important. There is something prophetic about seeing messages in the sky, Fata Morgana that can be examined in expansive blue space while grounded on the earth. Some of the pieces depict indecipherable geometric forms. In GongGong Music (2026) and Alien Alphabet (2026), repeating forms create tonal reverberations in the body, giving an entry point into contemplating extraterrestrial existence. 

Adam Rabinowitz Gonggong Music, 2026 Acrylic on linen 60 x 48 in

Other pieces in the show convey imagery from the postmodern world, in a fashion more reminiscent of Ed Rusha’s words in the sky, that are sometimes humorous and at other moments ironic, like Ruscha's Pay nothing until April 2003 painting. Rabinowitz equally taps into pop irony in the uncanny valley of a post-internet Desktop background sky, when painting juicy lips, mickey mouse hands and Kawaii cutesy eyes on this canvases. 

Adam Rabinowitz Baby Jericho 1, 2022 Acrylic, dye and bleach on linen 60 x 48 in

It is not surprising that Rabinowitz is based in Los Angeles. The beachy open-sky sunset, colorful neon aesthetic and spiritual triad, which often marks West Coast work is clearly here. WM

Installation view of Adam Rabinowitz's GongGong at Oolong Gallery, 2026

Adam Rabinowitz
GONGGONG  May 15 — Jul 4, 2026  Oolong Gallery  4 Cortlandt Alley NY, NY  10013  Gallery Hours Tue–Sat 10–6pm