GALLERY
On View in the Islands
"Breed," above, juxtaposes the disaparate imagery of childhood innocence and the mysterious, "creepy" presence of a bird's reproductive organs, providing an alternate perspective of "what little girls dream of." Technically, Love combines painting and drawing with layerings of such materials as fabric and wax, and mounts the work on masonite. "Breed" and "Roost," below, is one such work. "I personally enjoy lots of layers and images," Love says. "The fine line of pencil contrasts with the loose brush strokes with oils. And fabrics are a great way to start painting. They give a hint of what color to start with, and the pattern adds depth to the layering."
Woman’s world ONE WAY to explain Katherine Love the artist is to note that when asked about her influences, she immediately refers to her mother, Los Angeles poet Shirley Love,, whom she not only refers to as the artist of the family, but whose poem became the inspiration and foundation for her daughter's master's thesis.
Katherine Love examines the balance
between societal expectations
and personal identity"It was a poem that spoke to me," says the younger Love. "It was about lots of personal things. I thought about my family, my ancestors, what's happening for me."
The influence of the feminine presence in Love's art (she mentions as another major influence teacher and screen printer Allyn Bromley from the University of Hawaii) is powerfully reflected in her latest exhibition, "Katherine Love: Recent Paintings," on display through Wednesday at Punahou School's Kirsch Gallery, open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday.
In the show, Love explores the complexity of women's roles in modern society.
"Lots of women feel pressured to follow certain roles," Love says. And while other women don't feel that strain, her works carry "a foreboding that's lurking if a woman just takes what is given to her, if she doesn't decide for herself what road she's going to take."
"Breed," for example, is a pretty painting that uses feminine colors of oranges and lavenders to create the picture of a girl doll holding her own baby doll. The work would be dreamy and quaint but for the pencil drawing off to the side of a bird's reproductive system.
"Roost" displays Love's use of nature imagery. The bird represents motherhood with its eggs and the way it cares for its young, yet it's also free because it can fly.
"I liked that image because it's unclear as to what it is, and that makes it creepy. I tried to push it into the background so that it seems to be looming," Love says.
"I wanted to give the other side to what young girls dream of."
For the newly married artist, "art helps me contemplate the issues. This body of work has taught me that, whatever direction my life takes, I need to keep time for my art. Art helps me stay in touch with myself, with who I am."
Joleen Oshiro
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