Sibilance “is a manner of articulation of fricative and affricate consonants, made by directing a stream of air with the tongue towards the sharp edge of the teeth, which are held close together; a consonant that uses sibilance may be called a sibilant, or a strident.”

The appropriately named exhibition of Mica Smith’s new paintings–Soft Siphon Swoon–is a showcase of visual sibilance.  Smith’s work is characterized by repetition, curving lines and undulating forms.  In contrast to wide swaths of new non-objective painting (frequently labeled “Zombie Formalism”), Smith’s work escapes decoration and design tropes by boldly and honestly embracing human sensuality.