BROOKLYN, NY – Opening our new fall season on September 8th, 440 Gallery is pleased to present Nature/ Nurture, a solo show of mixed media work by Karen Gibbons. Inspired by nature, these vibrant, eclectic pieces dynamically blend collage, drawing, and painting with a sculptural presence. This is Gibbons’ sixth solo show at the gallery. On view September 8 – October 9, 2022.
In her paintings, a rugged drawing outlines the subject, such as a fawn, a snake, or an organic shape and vibrating lines that convey an animal energy or geometric symmetry. The figures are bold and bright, with rawness revealing the hand of the artist; their surroundings filled with aggressive brushstrokes and seductive textures. Some of the surfaces have had a previous life, with original colors and type showing through, adding subtle messages beneath layers of paint. Gibbons says, “The ‘found’ aspect and the collage images speak to the history of objects and refer to the personal history that inadvertently influences us all.”
Dividing spaces plays a large part in Gibbons’ work as well, either through splitting the space with diagonal lines or literally splitting the piece into multiple panels. Gibbons often creates multiple panels within one piece that have the potential to be rearranged. Gibbons likens this potential to the changes happening both in nature and our connection with the world. 4-Part Fawn, for example, is divided into four individual panels which when put together form a fawn. However, Gibbons furthers the puzzle by dissecting each panel with a geometric line creating the illusion of 8 unique triangles.
Gibbons says, “While I wish for my work to have universal significance, at the same time, I have only myself as a lens. In an effort to find equilibrium, my work blends personal experience with sacred geometry (geometry that appears in nature in both macrocosm and microcosm) and animal energies (qualities that animals have that can teach us about ourselves).
Karen Gibbons, with an MFA from Hunter College, is an artist, art therapist, and a yogi. She has shown her work in and around NYC extensively.
Opening Reception: Saturday, September 10, 4-6 pm
About 440 Gallery: 440 Gallery presents engaging art to the community through exhibitions, talks, readings and events centered around direct contact with the artist. Open Thursday, Friday 4-7pm, Saturday, Sunday 12-6pm, or by appointment. 440 Gallery is in Park Slope, convenient to the F, M, and R subways.
More information: https://440gallery.com
