Can I Touch That? (NO)
January 4, 2025 - January 31, 2025
Opening: Saturday 4th of January 2025 4PM - 6PM
Artspace Warehouse is thrilled to announce the exhibition, Can I Touch That? (NO). This exhibition celebrates the transformative power of texture, pushing the boundaries of traditional methods through unconventional applications of paint. Thick, layered brushwork and vibrant hues create works that are as much about touch as they are about sight. The layered textures of paint create a multidimensional experience, transforming with each angle as light and shadow interplay across their surfaces. The bold strokes and sculptural qualities of the pieces bring a sense of depth and motion, allowing viewers to connect with the artwork in an immersive, ever-changing way. Featuring a variety of subjects and styles, the exhibition invites viewers to explore the interplay between depth, color, and form, redefining modern painting as a multidimensional experience that engages the senses and challenges expectations.
Katharina Husslein’s artistic journey has been deeply influenced by her fascination with the beauty and impermanence of nature. Her works are characterized by bold, layered brushstrokes that transform traditional landscapes into contemporary explorations of texture and light. Drawing inspiration from impressionism and modern abstraction, Husslein’s pieces break away from flat representations, instead using thick applications of paint to build lush, three-dimensional forms. This tactile quality allows her works to shift and evolve under varying lighting conditions, inviting viewers to experience the vibrancy of her subjects from multiple perspectives.
In this exhibition, Husslein’s dynamic approach exemplifies how texture can redefine our interaction with a painting. The interplay of light and shadow across her surfaces enhances the sense of movement in her landscapes, making them appear as if they are alive and extend beyond the canvas. By layering color and form in unexpected ways, Husslein creates a sensory experience that blurs the line between traditional and modern, perfectly aligning her work with the theme of bold, unconventional painting techniques.
Dana Cowie’s landscapes bring the natural world to life through her innovative use of short, deliberate brushstrokes and rich textures. Her technique builds depth and energy into her scenes by layering dabs of color into cohesive and vibrant compositions. This approach transforms traditional depictions of nature into dynamic, tactile experiences, where every stroke contributes to the movement and rhythm of the landscape. Cowie’s art captures the interplay of light, shadow, and form, inviting viewers to connect with the raw beauty of the natural world.
Cowie’s unique textured surfaces interact with light to create an evolving visual experience, appearing different from every angle. Her deliberate brushstrokes not only add a sense of dimensionality but also draw viewers in to explore the intricate details of her compositions. Her larger compositions reveal their full clarity and cohesion when viewed from a distance, where the intricate brushstrokes and textures blend harmoniously to form vibrant, dynamic landscapes.
Shiri Phillips is known for her minimalist yet richly textured abstract compositions that emphasize form and depth. Her works often feature soft, rounded shapes layered in soothing, monochromatic palettes, with hints of muted tones adding subtle complexity. Phillips’ technique focuses on building layers of paint to create a tactile surface that draws viewers into her serene, meditative spaces. Her art is deeply influenced by her interest in the sensory experience of painting, where texture becomes a central element in shaping the viewer’s interaction with the piece.
Phillips’ works perfectly encapsulate the theme of multidimensionality. The textured layers in her compositions transform with shifting light, creating an evolving experience that changes based on perspective and angle. Her use of subtle color and bold, layered forms invites viewers to explore her art as a tactile and visual journey. Phillips’ ability to make simplicity resonate with depth and movement aligns seamlessly with the exhibition’s celebration of bold, unconventional techniques.
Virginie Schroeder’s layered portraits stand out as sculptural interpretations of the human form, combining bold textures with intricate details. Her works are a masterful blend of structured layering and abstract techniques, creating depth and dimension that bring her subjects to life. Influenced by her background in graphic design, Schroeder uses thick paint applications to manipulate light and shadow, crafting dynamic portraits that shift and evolve depending on the viewer’s angle and lighting conditions.
In this exhibition, Schroeder’s portraits illustrate how texture can redefine traditional approaches to painting. The three-dimensional quality of her work makes her subjects feel almost tangible, engaging viewers in a way that is both intimate and interactive. Each piece becomes a conversation between light, shadow, and form, demonstrating how textured techniques can transform a flat surface into a living, breathing work of art. Schroeder’s contributions to the exhibition showcase the power of texture to challenge perceptions and create a dynamic, sensory experience.
This exhibition offers a fresh perspective on the interplay between materiality and artistry, showcasing works that challenge traditional notions of painting. Can I Touch That? (NO) invites viewers to engage with the unique dimensionality of each piece, experiencing art as both a visual and tactile journey.
