In a dynamic collaboration between 33 Contemporary Gallery and PoetsArtists, a group of talented international artists explore the human form in motion through their own unique interpretations of the theme. Through a range of mediums that includes painting, sculpture and mixed media, the artists take literal and conceptual approaches to capturing a moment of time.
Kimberly Dow, Balancing Act, oil on panel, 22 x 21"Kimberly Dow’s two pieces in the show are part of her Sirens and Secrets series, in which the artist employs several metaphors to convey the fall from innocence. Balancing Act depicts women hopping from rock to rock to cross a stream and, in Dancing with the Devil, they are losing themselves in the music of temptation. In that sense, there is a different kind of movement happening as well—these young women are transitioning from the purity of youth into a potentially more threatening reality. “It is always about the storytelling,” says Dow. “A [painting] can tell a story or imply a narrative. It can depict a climactic event, a turning point, or a significant interaction between people. It may leave the viewer curious about what led up to that point or what might happen next. [The question is] does the paintings reveal or expose the narrative in a way that the viewer can read? Is there room in the painting for everyone to view it as their own version of the story?”
Victor Gadino, Daphne And Apollo, oil on canvas, 36 x 24"For Lorena Lepori, it’s not necessarily the movement itself, but the idea of it—a dynamic thought that compels a change. In Paper Planes, a woman about to embark on a departure of some kind shades her eyes from the light while gazing off into new horizons. “This panting depicts a dear friend and one of my favorite muses,” says Lepori. “She left Iran to embrace her freedom. She is not afraid to start over and over again in other countries, embracing different cultures. She never complains—she always smiles and fears nothing.”
In Victor Gadino’s Daphne and Apollo, the virtuous Greek goddess is running away from her relentless pursuer. “What interests me about the mythological story of Daphne and Apollo,” says Gadino, “is the transition that Daphne goes through when, in order to escape Apollo’s advances, she is turned into a laurel tree.” Figures in transition is a reoccurring theme in Gadino’s work. “The visual and phycological aspects are fascinating to me,” he says. “I wanted to capture a split second in time without the figures looking frozen or stiff. I used the overall movement of the composition to help with that, as well as the flying laurel leaves and swirling fabric of Daphne’s tunic.”
Laurie M. Landry, Ebb & Flow, oil on canvas, 30 x 24"
Laurie M. Landry’s Ebb & Flow is a painting of a nude figure with gesturing hands that signifys the duality of body and self, and the artist’s own attempt to reconcile her own mixed emotions around her physical self. “As a deaf artist, I focus on capturing and conveying movement through gestures, facial expressions and body movements,” says Landry. “By utilizing these elements, I emphasize the dynamic nature of human expression. Whether it is the fluidity of a hand gesture or the emotive quality of a facial expression, I try to depict the essence of motion in my paintings. Through the combination of gestural hands with contemporary subjects, I create a visual narrative that communicates beyond verbal language, inviting viewers to engage with and interpret the expressive qualities of my work.”
Daggi Wallace, By The Skin of my Teeth, pastel on sanded paper, 20 x 20"
By the Skin of my Teeth is part of Daggi Wallace’s Losing my Marbles series which addresses mental health issues and the loss of women’s rights. “Overwhelm and loss of control are feelings a lot of us are currently dealing with for a variety of reasons,” says Wallace, who incorporated motion through the marbles escaping from the figure’s mouth and the tension of an imminent scream. “The marble in the model’s mouth reflects my studio, a place that used to be a space of peace and calm but changed in recent years due to circumstances out of my control. Trying to hang on to it as well as to my sense of calm and creativity amongst the turmoil has been a challenge, as has trying to find serenity in a world of uncertainty and chaos.”
Lorena Lepori, Paper Planes, oil on linen, 23³/5 x 31½"
Kimberly Dow, Dancing With The Devil, oil on panel, 34 x 48"“The figurative works on display present a stunning array of human forms in motion, conveying a range of emotions from joy and freedom to tension and struggle,” says Didi Menendez, who co-curated the exhibition with Sergio Gomez.
You can enjoy the ride when Expressions in Motion goes live on Artsy on August 1, where it will remain on view through August 31. —
33 Contemporary Gallery Zhou B Art Center, 4th Floor • 1029 W. 25th Street • Chicago, IL 60609 • (708) 837-4534 • www.33contemporary.com • www.poetsandartists.com
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