The Art Associates Gallery at Central School will host an opening reception 5-8 p.m. Friday, May 24, for the new exhibit “Stefan Borssen: Automatic.” Borssen, a local abstract artist, will be presenting 10 works in the exhibit.

All 10 canvases are acrylic based mixed media pieces ranging from monochromatic to full color. “I’m all over the place with my palette,” he said describing how he mixes in hairspray, alcohol, water. “It’s more like alchemy than science.”

Much of Borssen’s life and childhoood serves as inspiration for his works, though he says he doesn’t believe in projecting any specific message into his work. “What I love about abstract work is that it has so much to do with whatever baggage you’re bringing in.”

Borssen said much of his work is esoteric and a way for him to work out his own emotions, but he finds beauty in the variety of reactions viewers can have to the same work of art. Referencing the works of Mark Rothko, he said abstract art can evoke powerful emotions including tears, silence, joy and fear.

“In my eyes it has way more to do with what they’re bringing into the viewing experience,” he said.

The show gets its title “Automatic” from the action painters Borssen studied at McNeese State University, he said. Such painters begin the artistic process with a loose plan in their head, “but once the paint starts going down you just trust your gut,” he said. “It’s automatic.”

The Arts Associates Gallery is located in Suite 208 of Central School Arts and Humanities Center, 809 Kirby St. in Lake Charles. The exhibit will be on display May 24- July 5.