Oct 05 - 30 2021
Cayen Robertson – New Work

Cayen Robertson – New Work

Presented by O’Hanlon Center for the Arts and First Tuesday ArtWalk at O'Hanlon Center for the Arts

Opening Reception (First Tuesday ArtWalk):
* October 5, 5:30 – 7:00 pm

Exhibition Dates:
* October 5 – 30

 

In the Loft Gallery

 

Cayen Robertson artist statement for New Work:

This exhibit is dedicated to my friend, Etel Adnan

Hello to each of you,

These small collages were made during the COVID 19 “isolation /stay at home” period starting in March, 2020. The materials used were art works done during my years of making monoprints and other pieces. Essentially, these are autobiographical works.

In the past, I have made mostly abstract works, yet these collages which came together surprised me. For example, people kept appearing in the work. I did not seek nor did I especially encourage these characters. Maybe they came to keep me company during those days of solitude. Sometimes they are rather comic and made me laugh. One thing which does not surprise me is the overt use of an architectural structure. This seems to be my anchor while I dive into my imagination and improvise with color, line, and the other visual elements available to me.

I start by selecting a work or fragment of my earlier works of which I have many.

I select one randomly or because it attracts me for some reason, be it material used, line, color, texture or whatever. I then begin to find relationships between it and other works... not building a work but letting it evolve. I watch where it goes and enjoy this experience.

I look for a certain clarity in the work because it’s a complex thing. I like working small because it allows me to explore the surface and forms in depth. I play with the picture plane.

The piece is finished when something surprising and unexpected happens; when it arrives at a unity which I could never have predicted, foreseen or planned. I sense that the work is complete in its feeling, its clarity, and its meaning. Each piece expresses an inner logic.

In Spring of 2020, I moved my studio into my living room and this is very exciting to me. This living room/studio has come alive with work in progress on tables, chairs and on the floor. Now I am living with the work all around me. While I am reading, cooking, cleaning, talking on the phone and doing other things, I see possibilities. I am always looking at and finding relationships between images.

I am exceedingly grateful that I have had the time and the space to make art at this point in my life. I have been able to explore more deeply into what is meaningful to me. I am also grateful to you who have allowed me to share my art – and that has made all the difference.

October, 2021

Admission Info

Free admission

Email: cayenr@comcast.net

Additional time info:

Opening Reception:  Tuesday, October 5, 5:30 - 7:00 pm

Loft Gallery Hours:  Wed-Sat, 11:00 am - 2:00 pm, or by appointment with Cayen

Dates & Times

2021/10/05 - 2021/10/30

Location Info

O'Hanlon Center for the Arts

616 Throckmorton Ave., Mill Valley, CA 94941

Parking Info

Street and limited parking in lot.