Smitten features the works of Stella Im Hultberg, Audrey Kawasaki, Brandi Milne, Amy Sol and KuKula. The exhibition packs a girl-power punch, with strong female images dominating the majority of the works.
With each artist showing a minimum of six pieces, Smitten has an overall sense of warmth and beauty. A sad, but seductive look is captured in many of the forms on display.
Hultberg's acrylic and ink pieces depict raven-haired ladies with smoldering eyes and pouting lips on tea-stained paper. The stain coupled with the fluid movement of her subject's hair and shifted glance create an understated sexiness to her work.
Similarly, Kawasaki's subjects are a mixture of eroticism and innocence. Her images on wood paneling have a distinct air of mischief, while captivating the viewer with sensuous bedroom eyes.
Her subjects have an almost angelic quality with soft faces, colors and flowing hair. Yet, the background details and stoic stare relate a completely different tale.
As the standout of Smitten , Kawasaki was the only one to have two male-dominated pieces. Bouya and Shounen have the same feel as her girls with vacant stares and disturbing innocence.
The intrigue of Milne's pieces comes from their stance and placement in natural surroundings. Her girls have extremely long, fluid legs often with curved “S” shaped bodies and positions. These almost faceless figures are placed amongst grass, leaves and flowers in a way that makes them appear as insects.
Continuing the mixture of women and nature, Sol's pieces are delicate and whimsical, while exuding a fragile quality and definite Asian influence. Sol's childhood in Korea is seen in her acrylic on board pieces.
Each female character is placed among friendly animal companions in a natural setting. Her color palette sets her work apart. Unique muted grays, peaches and rose tints add elegance and subtle charm.
KuKula's style differs from the others with a more literal feel. Her figures are dolls with sad eyes and falling tears in dramatic situations. They have half open eyes and frowns so their sadness is apparent in twisted scenarios and backdrops.
With Joy's Tears , KuKula's doe-eyed girl holds a jar labeled tears to catch her salty pain. The sharp edges and vivid color make her dolls stand out.
Thinkspace Art Gallery is located at 4210 Santa Monica Blvd. in Los Angeles. For more information, visit www.thinkspacegallery.com.
Article posted on 5/22/2007
This article has been viewed 320 times.
RSS Feed
Comment
RSS Feed
Comment
