MIDNIGHT IN A PERFECT WORLD: Paintings by Rowan Bathurst
On view May 3rd through June 10th 2024
Gallery CA proudly presents the second solo exhibition from Baltimore/Sao Paulo-based artist Rowan Bathurst, Midnight In A Perfect World, curated by Quentin Gibeau.
"My recent work centers on the resilience and serenity of women, as it has been historically signified through Venus figurines, such as those seen in ancient art. Their relativity to our subconscious bond to the earth has been an inspiration. Some art historians theorize that the unusual rounded forms reflect a female artist looking down at herself and sculpting a self-portrait. Though separated by thousands of years, I feel a connection to those female artists and the lives they lived. I am in awe at the perseverance of women throughout history, and also now in the perseverance of my family and friends. But I still see the continuous struggle we face in this world. In what world are women safe? How can we offer them the peace and respect they deserve? What patterns are repeating over the course of 10,000 years? And how do we as women continue to love despite the challenges we face? The women I paint are combined with objects that are stereotypically feminine: fruit, textiles, flowers, dreamlike landscapes and all around ‘beauty’. These women choose to dance, fight, and flourish in shifting times and expectations. Power and beauty are often portrayed as opposing forces; however, the female body solely depicts the interior radical balance. We stand formidable and red- it is the color we carry inside of us. We can unabashedly bare our red— our power, passion, anger, and love. Rather than diminishing our beauty and femininity, our challenges add to our innate splendor. A Venus figurine brings tranquility to a woman in solitary reflection, a reminder of an inner knowing, self-love, pride, and compassion for the history that we’ve carried within us through generations. These paintings act as a reminder to the viewer of the times we have been through— are going through— and to show the world our strength, a world that we have had to create for ourselves."
