Gay E. Lasher: September 2015

Sunday, September 27, 2015

September 27, 2015 Playing In Traffic Opening Reception

Thursday evening, September 24, was the opening reception for the latest series of my work, Playing In Traffic. The evening was absolutely gorgeous and balmy and the gallery door was open wide. Carol Ann Waugh, galleries, was her usual welcoming self and friends and family all gathered to celebrate.

This Friday evening from 6-9pm is First Friday. If you missed the opening, he's another chance to see the show.

Monday, September 14, 2015

September 14, 2015 Playing In Traffic

There have been some wonderful shows in Denver in the past few months but no time to write about them as I have been preparing for my own show, Playing In Traffic.

No Exit

Tired of detours? Fed up with lane closures? Having cone zone nightmares? That’s how I’ve felt over the last year and a half or so. When the Great Recession eased, Denver seemed to respond with an instantaneous explosion of construction projects that had been “on hold” together with a sprouting of signs saying “no left turn,” “road work 500 feet” and “detour.” In one area of town that I visited weekly, familiar landmarks disappeared as old buildings were demolished and earth movers rumbled in. All of this construction played havoc with traffic. Sitting in traffic, taking unaccustomed routes and never being sure about how to get to the same place twice provided the inspiration for this current series of work.

Once again, I used computer manipulations to turn ordinary photographs into abstract compositions of strong color and chaotic shapes to express my frustration and impatience with the complexities of modern life. Compositions were printed on cotton, sandwiched with batting and backing and stitched.

This series will be on view at aBuzz Gallery, 3340 Walnut Street, Denver 80205 in the RINO art district from September 24-October 17. Opening reception is September 24, 6-9pm. First Friday is October 2, 6-9pm. Artist talk will be October 10, 2pm with the gallery open from 1-4pm. Closing reception is October 17, 12-4pm. If you are in the area, I hope to see you at one of these events.

Artist Statement

As an artist, I have always been concerned with the ideas of transformation and mystery, the boundaries between reality and illusion. I am intrigued by the potential that even pedestrian images or subjects have for being reborn in a completely new and different way.

I am excited by the transformation of ordinary photographic images into compositions of intense color and dynamic composition and also pleased by how the use of black stitch sharpens the image and creates depth. While the specific sources of the original photographs vary, I am particularly interested in construction sites for the multitude of shapes, colors and objects they contain and because they are transitional spaces in the creation of new structures for re-created uses.

In my current work I change ordinary digital photographs into abstract compositions using features of Adobe Photoshop. Small areas are then greatly enlarged to produce the final image which is then printed in panels on cotton and machine stitched. The abstractions are concerned with formal elements such as color, shape, line and the texture provided by stitch.