Far out, not in the groove

Fred Tomaselli's psychedelic collage paintings are druggy mirages incorporating materials that include hallucinogenic pills, pot leaves, paper cut-out flowers, eyes, birds and butterflies. The New York-based artist's reference to 1960s counter-culture and spaced-out hippie utopianism suggests a vision seduced by romantic nostalgia and longing, denying any possibility of a serious critique or intelligent engagement.

He paints on wooden panels, with the variously coloured pills jewel-like beads that form pretty loops across an overly accreted picture surface. These collaged materials are arranged in centrifugally spiralling patterns, while delicately painted arabesques further suggest a cross between Islamic architectural design, Indian Tantric paintings and 1970s rock album covers.

The hotch-potch of various materials, elements and references offer the usual confused blend of consumer New Ageism, nature-tripping and blissed-out spirituality - an ultimately meaningless gesture towards the LA that Tomaselli grew up in.

His work is endemic of a Western culture assimilating a Mickey Mouse concoction of half-baked ideas on Eastern spirituality and religion. These four new pieces would function better as jokey, post-modern designs for hand-woven rugs rather than anything pertaining to art.

Until July 7, White Cube, 44 Duke Street SW1, Tue to Sat 10am to 6pm, free.
Tel: 020 7930 5373.
www.whitecube.com
Tube: Piccadilly Circus