Mertes-Frady has been following the tradition of abstract modernism for several decades, reinventing her approach to her paintings and reinvigorating the conversation around this genre. In a series from a few years back, the geometric grids of New York City provided the philosophical and visual platform for works that incorporated angular, hard-edged lines over a soft, layered underpainting.
In the short period of time since, the lines have become syncopated rhythms that confer a more celestial or tidal momentum; the underpainting has become even more diffuse, deep and tonal.
Lilly Wei says of her work "She unleashes a full range of paining techniques, applying an array of oil colors, thickly, thinly, layer after layer that are sometimes opaque, sometimes luminous". She shows regularly in Europe and in the United States.