Marcos Mena Cruz on September 18, 2024
Charlotte Evans is a British artist (b. 1981, London, UK) living and working in Toronto. She studied fine art at Byam Shaw, now part of Central St. Martins, UAL in London. She left London for New York in 2011, where she worked from a studio at Brooklyn Wayfarers and served as an advisory board member before moving to Canada with her young family. Featuring 25 works, including gouache on paper and oil on canvas, the 'Hart on my Sleeve' exhibition will open on September 8 and run through September 27, 2024 at the L.L. Contemporary Gallery in Richmond Hill. This show marks Evans' first exhibition at the gallery and her debut in Canada.
'Hart on my Sleeve' explores motherhood through the lens of nature. Charlotte Evans draws inspiration from ancient mythology, like Ovid's Metamorphoses which she uses to explore the theme of Matrescence, the idea of how a person changes when they become a parent and how this relates to the natural world around her.
The show is particularly striking in the pieces that feature fauna as a central subject, completely capturing the viewer's attention. "Two Dogs" creates a wonderful composition of almost neon greens that transcend the background and accentuate the ethereal bodies of the dogs watching over what could be a fractured sun bursting into a plethora of colors. Small colorful dots reminiscent of Damien Hirst's Colour Space paintings from the ground. This allusion to Hirst's work is intriguing, as it creates a dialogue between Evans' exploration of motherhood and Hirst's examination of life, death, and the human condition. While Hirst's spots are typically uniform and methodical, Evans' interpretation appears more organic and fluid, perhaps reflecting the unpredictable nature of parenthood. The integration of this technique into a figurative work also demonstrates Evans' ability to blend contemporary art references with her own unique visual language.
"Poison Moon," a smaller yet melancholic view of the world, shows plants decaying in the foreground amidst the aura of a powerful blood moon. Similar palette tones of green are prominent in this piece, making the foreground blend into the background as the artist plays with perspective and the viewer's sense of belonging. Almost innocently, a mysterious figure appears walking through colossal mountains amid the decay.
In "Beak," Charlotte Evans presents a delicate interplay of organic forms and vivid hues, blending botanical elements with abstract figures. The deep greens and bold, expressive outlines create an intricate, dreamlike landscape, hinting at themes of transformation and growth. The sharp contrast between linear forms and softer, blurred edges invites the viewer to explore the balance between clarity and ambiguity, reflecting the artist's own metamorphosis in reconciling her roles as a mother and artist. The intricate botanical imagery, evocative of the natural world, ties back to the artist's contemplation of identity and motherhood, especially in the context of Diana from Ovid's Metamorphoses. The painting captures a quiet yet powerful meditation on personal evolution, much like the artist's journey of "matrescence" — a transformation akin to the mythological metamorphosis she draws inspiration from.
Charlotte Evans' debut exhibition at L.L Contemporary seamlessly blends the artist's personal experience as a parent into a universal natural tale that depicts the most important act of humankind. Through her vibrant palette, innovative techniques, and thoughtful compositions, Evans invites viewers to explore the complex interplay between motherhood, nature, and personal transformation. As Evans makes her mark on the Canadian art scene, this exhibition stands as a testament to her unique vision and her ability to translate the intimate journey of motherhood into visually stunning and intellectually engaging works of art.
For the full collection, please refer to our page here.
