Colour, Paint, Beauty & the Grid

Looking at Lorena’s work is like inhaling the heady fragrance of a bouquet of flowers.

The paintings draw attention to the fleeting moment, the incidental connection, and in doing so they embody the quiet pause, and love of, insightful observation. At its best, each painting is like a novella, a tableau that opens questions, shows glimpses of emotion, presents possible twists, and ultimately exists as a portrait, and a stylish romance. A cinematic kind of atmosphere, full of drama, intensity, bold colour, and human fragility, is suggested within and beyond the frame, where the characters pass through, pause, interact, and we, the audience, catch only glimpses of the whole.

The visual language which tells these mini stories is loose, colorful, and expressive, yet still studied, and precise. Lorena seems to apply discipline and playfulness in equal measure in her work, as well as a unique scrutiny and interest in human situations she encounters in their many guises. Each piece is an exciting, vibrant, aesthetic treat that seems to ask us, what are they thinking? What are they feeling?  Are those thoughts and feelings in the subject, in the artist, in you?

Kelda Mazzone, BFA

These are all very powerful expressionist works that pay homage to the Fauves (Wild Beasts) of the late (19th and early 20th )whose use of pure and brilliant colours applied directly from the tube created a sensually provocative and political presence before the spectator. The iconic/ironic references to de Stijl and Mondrian in the backgrounds is also worth acknowledging. The reign of Trump? I hope that this is soon over!

Bruce Barber PhD, Professor Media Arts/Art History and Contemporary studies