Curious foxes, sleepy fawns, and daring mice are only a few of the woodland creatures that populate Laura Catherwood’s dreamy drawings and work. Working primarily in graphite and oil, she situates recognizable animals into surprising and fantastical conditions in illustrations that “discover the inside emotional panorama whereas concurrently soothing the viewer,” she says.
It usually takes a second to grasp the scope of every of Catherwood’s situations. A pair of noticed frogs in “Rue,” for instance, isn’t what it appears at first, as two heads emerge from one physique, and their lengthy tongues are each pierced with a fishing hook. And in “Inexhaustible,” a toad with an uncommon, bowl-like again stuffed with water gives a tiny oasis for a troupe of flying fish.
Catherwood is within the energy of illustration to channel emotions, questions, and experiences which may be difficult or revolve round grief. Her situations are surreal and even a little bit cryptic, but we’re invited to witness intimate, affecting, and enigmatic narratives that immediate curiosity and marvel.
A few these works are presently on view alongside Jerome Tiunayan and Joseph Renda Jr. in The Scenic Route at at Vertical Gallery, which runs by September 27 in Chicago.
Catherwood can also be presently engaged on a collection of 9 small murals as a part of a public outreach undertaking about invasive species, plus a small physique of labor associated to species present in Upstate New York, the place she’s quickly shifting. And he or she’s additionally making ready for 2 solo exhibitions subsequent 12 months. See extra on the artist’s web site and Instagram.
