by Patricia Frischer
I walked into afra eisma:
Hush at ICA Central in Balboa Park and immediately started to
smile. I just could not feel anything but uplifted with the joyful colors and
soft welcoming textures. Boobie Spider greets you at the top of
the stairs and I found this cluster of tits with the long appendages anchoring his
work adorable, protective and powerful.
The glass half empty might say aggressive, vulnerable and threatening, but that
says more about the viewer I feel than the artist.
But the section of Warrior Garments gives more insight into
the trauma that eisma has endured. Layers of silent protection are combined
with revealing words which are quite frightening. These layers are also evident
in the many framed drawings
The title Hush for this exhibition (her first
one person show in the US for this Dutch artist) is not really about making
sure you remain quiet. It is more about breathing and the hush sounds you make
on exhale through your mouth. This exhale is known to be a calming act (at
least in the yoga I do) and although the colors are lively, the ambiance
created is intended to create a safe environment. Hush the installation
rug was specially created for the ICA and with the sound and lighting elements,
you are invited to take off your shoes and hug the soft sculpture to your heart
content.
The texture of the wall hanging and the large area rug
seemed to be a combination of tufted and hooked as tufted rugs are sheared to
create a smooth pile, while hooked rugs are left unshorn to create a looped
pile. I think I saw both. Some of the colors are almost day glow luminescent.
They are scattered ceramic elements, the most appealing were the color glazed
shoes.
A deeper dive reveals a whole make-believe world of comfort
and acceptance. I think we all want to escape on occasion, especially so in the
last years. The tapestries depict the places that eisma has created for herself
and for us where there is no judgement, lots of love, healing can take place,
everyone is accepted. Is it too bad that this is necessary…absolutely. But I
am glad to have found this place where an artist has managed to win.
I want to give full credit to Jordan Karney Chaim, who is the curator for the ICA exhibitions and found this artist in a Miami art fair. She is responsible for nurturing the artist and her team and went to Holland to visit the artist's studio. Bravo, Jordan.
afra eisma:
Hush
ICA Central, Balboa Park
Sat,
Feb 15, to Sun. June 1
Thursday–Sunday 12:00 to 5:00 pm
 |
| detail |
 |
| detail |
 |
| detail |
 |
| Hush, detail |
Hush
 |
| Boobie Spider |
 |
| Boobie Spider, detail looking down |
 |
| Boobie Spider, looking up |
 |
| Warrior Garments |
 |
| Ceramic samples |
ICA Central, Balboa Park
Sat, Feb 15, to Sun. June 1
Thursday–Sunday 12:00 to 5:00 pm
No comments:
Post a Comment