Sharon Englestein

Mark Flood

Laura Lark

Aaron Parazette

Sharon Kopriva

ARTIST STATEMENT

I am interested in the concept of perception and how this determines the way reality presents itself differently to each of us. Therefore, at a first glance my paintings include objects and settings that may attract the viewer by their simple beauty or the sense or recognizing what he sees, however, on a closer look the viewer may find himself questioning what he truly sees. My paintings are an attempt to bring to the surface what the eye doesn’t see in normal life experiences. On a more personal level, I intend to connect my past, my present, and my future, all in one instance.

One could say my paintings have a Surrealistic touch combined with influences of Impossible Art. The nontraditional images I create contrast with the traditional oil-on-canvas techniques I mainly use.

- Marlene Llanes, 2013

CURATOR’S STATEMENT

The surrealism movement began as a response to Sigmond Freud’s theories of the subconscious mind. This occurred during WWI; during a time that artists were making statements about war. The surrealists proposed that, in order to improve the world, people needed to begin by changing themselves from within. This attention of the subconscious formed the basis of the surrealism movement. The works made by Breton, Ernst, Dali, et al. gained popularity and validated the movement. Marlene Llanes’ work lies comfortably within the history of surrealism and is well worth mention and exposition.

Llanes paints using oils on canvas and challenges the viewer with captivating imagery. Her mastery of oil work is evident in her depictions of color and texture. This clean, seemingly effortless style is directly indicative of René Magritte, one of the masters of surrealism. Like Magritte, Llanes communicates through the language of the subconscious. The subjects she has in mind as she paints are not immediately apparent to the viewer. As a matter of fact, you may never figure out the idea she started with; I have been quite surprised to learn what some of these works are actually about.

Finally, Llanes is in a minority of artists that has specific stories to tell, tells them well, and that demonstrates precise technique. It is her outstanding technique that creates a clean and determined aesthetic, thus allowing her to tell stories so effectively.

- Matt Adams, 2013