From October 3 – October 31, 2015, a two-part exhibition of paintings, drawings, and a sculptural installation, Joyce Nojima: The Space in Between and Kayla Cloonan: Deceptive Clarity, is on view at En Em Art Space. Despite distinct differences in media, color, and composition, both artists create intuitive, non-representational imagery that exposes subconscious aspects of the artistic process.
The Space In Between highlights Joyce Nojima’s rhythmic and meditative approach to sculpture and drawing. The exhibit includes Nojima’s drawings of amorphous, flowing forms created from holes punctured into the paper and meandering graphite lines. Like a maze without a beginning or end, her sinuous lines and patterns take the viewer on a visual journey. The Space In Between also features Nojima’s suspended sculptural installation comprised of black plastic bags. By manipulating the plastic to create a large net with areas of varying mass and complexity, Nojima plays with the material’s versatile, delicate, and voluminous properties.
Deceptive Clarity features Kayla Cloonan’s large multi-media paintings on stretched fabric and mixed media compositions on paper. By incorporating multiple layers of paint and other materials, Cloonan invites viewers to examine small details and investigate the intricacies of her artistic process. Her paintings are energetic and passionate. With several layers of paint, paper, and drawing, Cloonan reveals a complex inner dialogue. Like fragments of her larger paintings, Cloonan’s works on paper consist of saturated colors and abstract forms delineated by thick black outlines.
Unlike many artists, Nojima and Cloonan do not strive for traditionally polished, “finished” compositions. By leaving evidence of their artistry visible in the finished works, they give viewers a glimpse into their artistic processes. In so doing, Nojima’s and Cloonan’s drawings and paintings take viewers on exciting, visual explorations that they will not soon forget.
En Em Art Space is located at 1714 Broadway in Sacramento. Hours of operation are Sa/Sun 1-7pm and weekdays by appointment. Visit www.enemspace.com for more information.
Words Justina Martino.