Drift with Me Darling
January 6 - February 2
Alex Chowaniec
Elizabeth D’Agostino
Joy Kardish
Julie Liger-Belair
Marney McDiarmid
Patti Normand
Eryn O’Neill
Manny Trinh
Marjolyn van der Hart
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“There is mystery to how faith takes root and flourishes, how need transforms into belief.” ― Ling Ma, Severance
The past three years have presented a unique opportunity to adapt our relationship with the self, others and nature. Drift with Me Darling features nine artists creating work that exists between the mystic and the real; inviting the viewer to reflect on the world at hand.
Eryn O’Neill, Bench at Night, oil on canvas, 36 x 24 in. Framed by Wall Space
As our relationship with technology plays a more prominent role in society, does that create a shift in how we navigate the external world? Challenging the expectations of moving and working faster, versus slowing down and looking inwards, each artist exhibits an environment that is rooted in reality but reshapes how we view and navigate the natural landscape.
Alex Chowaniec, Joy Kardish, Patti Normand, Eryn O’Neill and Manny Trinh, create introspective pieces echoing feelings of romance and nostalgia. Through their respective mediums, they each explore the discovery of the self during transient periods. There’s a sense of calm; inviting us to drift through moments we may have missed and reflect on the time we have taken for granted with others and nature.
Manny Trinh, There's Always A Second Door, acrylic on paper, 9 x 12 in. Framed by Wall Space
Elizabeth D’Agostino, Julie Liger-Belair, Marney McDiarmid and Marjolyn van der Hart examine liminal space between reality and a fictitious world, piecing together different aspects of our surroundings to create a representation that goes beyond reality. This duality of escapism and desire to stay grounded enables the viewer to reflect on the world presented to them through the eyes of the artist. There is an unease and comfort in each of these works, depicting moments that are more lifelike than they first appear.
Elizabeth D’Agostino, Deer with Podsack I, Collaged print, etching and silkscreen on Washi, 15 9/16 x 17 1/2 in. Framed by Wall Space
Retreating to the subconscious of the mind conjures both darkness and imagination. Through fragments of ourselves we can find the familiar, where depth and memory merge. Partial depictions of reality create gaps, spaces for the viewer to enter, or escape to something mystical; prompting us to think about how we respond to stressful situations. Slowing down, examining how we feel, and using art as a meditative process is a powerful way to rebel against the systems we operate within. - Ava Margueritte, Curator