"In the teeth of male dominated 1970's and 80's Minimalism and Pop, women artists, like Neely, looked to organic abstraction to describe and comment on issues from climate change to reproductive rights to feminist and racial diversity and equality.  Most, like Neely and several of her own students (including Sarah Sze) and associates from Massachusetts and Maine continue to make art as if lives depend on it.  For Neely, and those who care to look now and to think deeply, they do."