“You know the adage, ‘the more things change, the more they stay the same,’” says Paul Harryn. “That’s pretty much what it is.”

There are 26 works by the Williams Township abstract expressionist, poet and musician in the exhibit, “Paul Harryn,” through Sept. 14, Arthaus, Allentown.

In “The More Things Change …” (2024; pencil and acrylic on canvas, 72 in. x 48 in.), there’s a depiction of the crucifixion and other symbols of Christianity in the highly-complicated piece.

“The imagery I am using there is not for religious purposes. It’s for cliché purposes and the impact of the cliché in the context of the concept,” says Harryn.

“There are a lot of cliché images. We are inundated with imagery all the time.

“There are metaphors and representation of a lot of things in my paintings,” Harryn says.

“Exodus of Reason,” depicts figures from a battle in ancient Chinese history. “Apollo and the Muses” presents imagery from Greek mythology.

“I wanted something playful and challenging,” says exhibit curator Deborah Rabinsky, adding, “There is symbolism throughout all his work.”

In contrast to large colorful canvases, Rabinsky included Harryn’s black and white drawings. “I wanted to see the absence, then the drenching of colors with layers,” she says.

“Improvisational jazz. That’s really where my spirit is,” says Harryn. “But when I compose, it’s just like with painting: I don’t go fully improvisational.

“I try to make a map, if you will, a mind map.” he adds. “I try to control the improvisation. Place some parameters on it so that you can get the idea and the content.”

He says each of his paintings tells a story:

“If I’m not getting the story across, then it’s kind of meaningless. The same as with the music.”

Born in Bethlehem, and having worked throughout the United States and Europe, Harryn has pursued his passions for 25 years out of a renovated 1820s barn near the Delaware River. Harryn also works out of a co-op studio in Santa Monica, Calif.

“I studied with people,” says Harryn.

A student of Pen Argyl painter Bob Doney; James Carrroll, founder of the New Arts Program, and figurative and abstract artist Larry Day of Philadelphia, Harryn followed his mentors’ advice to receive an Associate in Applied Sciences in 1975 from Northampton Community College, a Bachelor of Fine Arts in painting in 1976 from Kutztown University and a Masters in 1981 from Philadelphia University of the Arts.

Harryn consistently puts in long days painting, reading, writing poetry, composing music and playing bass guitar.

“That’s my whole life,” Harryn says.

“Paul Harryn,” through Sept. 14, Arthaus, 645 W. Hamilton St., Allentown. Gallery hours: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Tuesday - Saturday. Closed Sunday, Monday. 610-841-4866; refindallentown@gmail.com

“Gallery View” is a column about artists, exhibitions and galleries. To request coverage, email: Paul Willistein, Focus editor, pwillistein@tnonline.com