LORA BAIZE // 1 . 2 . 3
On view March 18–April 20, 2015
Opening reception Sunday, March 22 (2–5 p.m.)
In Lora Baize’s 1 . 2 . 3, her first solo exhibition at Nationale, paintings playfully unravel the rules of perception in order to adopt new dimensions. Unconstrained by either the medium’s representational history or the irrefutable flatness of the canvas, she manipulates such assumed givens through modifications of color, size, shape, and location. Baize constructs, rather than merely depicts, her subjects and, as a result, creates almost sculptural visions. A vase of flowers or a bright, yellow ashtray, for example, take on an unusual depth due to the application of matte and glossy acrylic layers using everyday objects like combs and syringes. This interest in technique feels most evident in Baize’s black and white pieces where the lack of color compels a heightened appreciation of such often-ignored stimuli as shading and texture.
Subsequent to her reconsideration of spatial boundaries, Baize also used a made-up intuitive mathematical formula to further locate the work for this exhibition within what she allusively terms the “fourth dimension.” Regardless of where one stands in the gallery, the works contained within any given line of sight will present a satisfying balance of black, white, and color compositions. Each painting, in this manner, transforms from a self-contained object into a harmonious composition visible temporarily within the viewer’s interior gaze. Welcome to the realm of magical thinking.
BIO
Lora Baize is a self-taught painter living and working in Portland, OR. She has shown in group exhibitions at Ray Ray Gallery (Chico, CA), Big Umbrella Studios (San Francisco, CA), and Open Gallery (Portland, OR). 1 . 2 . 3 at Nationale is her first solo exhibition. In addition to her dedicated painting practice, Baize, along with an anonymous group of Portland artists, founded Open Gallery in the summer of 2014 and continues to organize innovative exhibitions and projects in that space.
PRESS
1 . 2 . 3 mentioned on SightUnseen's "Saturday Selects"
Lora Baize on Women Artists
1 . 2 . 3 featured on Looking at painting
IMAGES
To request a price list for this exhibition, please email info@nationale.us