Featuring works by artists Clara Laratta and Lisa Golem, this exhibition was open from July 15th to October 1st 2019 in the O Gallery @ 44 Gaukel.

Clara Laratta – Liminality

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Artist Statement

My work consists of painterly style, photographic self-portraits and layered digital prints. The prints layer photographs, paintings, drawings and frottage in one image. They are an acknowledgement of the multifaceted nature of identity and were created in an attempt to provide an arena for contemplation surrounding identity, the way we view ourselves and others. The images are a reflection of the impact of day to day experiences and interactions with others and nature. They are based on an intimate look at self while holding a space to look at “others” in a broader context. Photographic self-portraits are intended to provoke reflection and connection through the finding of something of oneself within the images. 

The use of self-portraits in my work is serendipitous to someone who has an aversion to being photographed. As a female, the control and ability to represent myself as the subject rather than an object is appealing to me. No matter what the intervention, similar to nature when it is unleashed, control is lost. The history of photography, its ties to the history of portraiture, and the new genre of selfies is also of interest and provides an opportunity for dialogue with a wide audience. 

Artist Background

More of her work can be found at her website: claralaratta.com

Lisa Golem: If Textures Could Speak…

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Artist Statement

Lisa Golem grew up in rural Ontario; her father was a farmer/musician and her mother was a painter. An extremely tactile and kinetic child full, she experienced her world mainly by touch and by enthusiastic exploration. This began her fascination with the visual richness of textures, whether rough and coarse or sleek and smooth. This fascination is the inspiration for the pieces in this collection. 

The work in this exhibition encompasses large textured abstract pieces and smooth-as- glass acrylic pours. The pieces evolved in an intuitive and organic way, revealing content, meaning and mystery as they took form. Lisa believes that as you look at non- representational art, your mind will interpret, seeing what it is you need to see in the work… just as the artist created what they needed to see. For that reason, Lisa likes to use ambiguous titles to allow individual interpretation. 

Within the collection of pours, there is a series titled “Cosmic Dance”. This series was more intentional, and different in that it was inspired by a meaningful dream. Viewers are encouraged to ‘see’ the works with not only their eyes, but also with their fingers; and allow their intuition to guide them, allowing the various colours and textures to speak. 

Artist Background

More of her work can be found at her website: www.rawcstudio.net/