BOUNTIFUL — It’s not easy to paint time, space, and emotion, but some artists welcome the challenge.

At the Bountiful/Davis Art Center’s “Simply Abstract” exhibit, which is open through Feb. 16 in the BDAC’s north gallery, a pair of artists have committed themselves to finding the visual representations of such intangibles as urban decay, mortality, emotion and memory. Though the question of whether or not they succeeded is open – the interpretation is immediately interpreted again by the viewer – the results are fascinating.

“I am interested in elements that are part of the urban and surrounding environment that have been subjected to time, history and decay from nature over the seasons,” wrote Scott Buckner in the artist’s statement for his work. “ These elements speak to me of existence and mortality.”

Buckner’s art is almost startlingly faithful to this vision, calling to mind dirt, graffiti and peeling paint in a far more immediate way than even a photograph could. To me, this gives his work a solemn, almost tragic air, full of weariness and the endless passage of time.

Sonya Dinsdale’s work is more colorful, and more far-reaching in her subject matter. She uses color to inspire and transmit emotions, with the particular combinations of each left up to the person doing the seeing. Layered amid the colors are different shapes and textures, encouraging leisurely exploration of each piece.

“The pain of a lost soul? It’s there. The triumph of the human spirit over personal terror? Check,” wrote Dinsdale in her artist’s statement. “The exuberance of a sunny day in April? We will experience it together in my layered compositions.”