uncertainty in the i’mpossible:
Art & Fear
april 30 - june 6, 2015
coolspace @ artspace
Of all subjects, people are a fantastic reservoir for inspiration, culturally and psychologically. We so often doubt ourselves and what social perimeters we fit within. Adornment and materialistic possessions become a veil for our bodies, thoughts, emotions and our relationships with the outside world. Beyond the surface, who are we really? Beneath the facade and the fear, what truly exists? This exhibition challenges this idea of identity and the possibility of discovering truth within ourselves, leaving no room for deception.
To see more of Whitney’s work visit nwlaartists.org
STATEMENT FROM THE ARTIST
Rage. Guilt. Pain. Dishonesty. My attention and curiosity is ineluctably drawn to questioning the human psyche and how it exists beneath a range of facades. How does one distinguish the authentic self from the fictional persona? Beneath the illusions of someone's character, their is a soul that I feel will always remain true, which bleeds through all the inconsistencies that certain facades conceal. As I explore the surface of the canvas with paint, I use figures to examine the tension between truth and fiction, superficial identities and authentic self. With each layer of paint, I expose and conceal truths, identities and constant realities of life and people. A strong affinity for paint allows me to release my inner demons and evoke a similar feeling or mood in a portrait. My work has referenced clown imagery, tribal body painting and scarification and the physical disfigurement caused by disease, injuries or surgery. These references to bodily surfaces are mirrored in my paint application. Thick meaty textures and gestural mark-making birth my figures, while others emerge from the detritus of the creative process. Proximity to my paintings changes perception in the same way we perceive people based on the time we spend with them. The true subject of my work is rooted in personal experiences with everyday people, experiences that have become the mainframe for my life. My recent work incorporates architectural elements. The facade of a building is often the most important from a design standpoint, as it sets the tone for the rest of the building. But the beauty of architectural facades does not always apply to personality or character. I want to explore this idea and illustrate the possible beauty of facades or masks. If we dig deep enough to grasp why facades are there, then we may better understand the authentic self. Ultimately, when facades are shattered, the reality of your existence is exposed, releasing all truth and leaving no room for deception.
EXHIBITING ARTIST:
whitney newson
ARTIST BIO
I am originally from Shreveport, Louisiana and received my undergraduate degree from Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, Louisiana, obtaining a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communication Design and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art. I received my Master of Fine Arts degree from Montclair State University. Unquestionably, my life's aim is to play an influential role in the college classroom and be a part of the contemporary art dialog as a working professional artist. Moving from my hometown in Louisiana to the east coast for graduate school dramatically affected my motivations and cause for growth, in turn influencing every part of being both a fine artist and a designer. I do not need to imagine, now armed with my education and familiarity with the vital New York City art community, what else life has in store for me.
