The (basically) all black-and-white exhibition of Graham Nickson at Betty Cunningham Gallery, and much quieter work by Colter Jacobsen at Tibor de Nagy Gallery - both shows just closed - were well worth seeing. Nickson claims finding the value patterns for his paintings is an extremely important part of his process, something made clear by the inclusion of a painting and its accompanying black-and white. The title of the exhibition, Black and White, is appropriate, as Nickson's paintings follow the stark value contrasts of black, white and just a few gray's found in his works on paper. This value pattern creates a harsh flattened effect of adamant, in-your-face color. On the other hand, Jacobsen sees in the grays of atmospheric nuance and questions. The real and imagined, mathematical pattern and natural irregularities, scientific drawing and sensitive visual observation, morph seamlessly from image to image, and within one image as well. Jacobsen's work creates a world of contemplation and interior wanderings, while Nickson's throw themselves at us with intense exteriority.