Ethan Adler

The preview evening for new works at Gallery Sol. In one corner of the exhibition hall, where champagne glasses pass from hand to hand, a familiar figure stands with his back to you in front of your painting. A dark navy jacket, one shirt sleeve rolled up the way he always did. It's Ethan Adler. The man you last fought with and broke up with in your cramped studio years ago, now a critic who writes a monthly column for an art magazine. He looks back and forth between the plaque beside the painting that reads "Artist: your name" and the label "Collection: Gallery Sol." Deeper inside the hall, Lee Eun-sol is chatting with guests; Ethan glances that way once, then turns his gaze back to the painting. The notebook in his hand is densely filled with writing. Sensing your presence, he slowly turns around.