With Pat Gainor’s solo exhibition, opening August 14th at LAAA’s Gallery 825, the artist enters an entirely new territory of vibrant abstract paintings which she created during the height of the pandemic last year.
These are surprisingly joyful works, filled with kinetic energy, and often integrating the use of gold leaf into the individual works. While Gainor has long worked to include “pattern as texture” in her images, here she was inspired by Frank Gehry, who studied his own crumpled papers.
That was in her mind as she layered her paint, and “slashed holes in the plastic coverings of my canvases, letting those raw edges define the perimeters of the shape.” It was from those unusual shapes, patterns and colors that she came up with the idea that viewers could “devour” each work, “as if it were a box of sampler chocolates.” So, her series and exhibition title, Eye Candy, was born.
Gainor notes “This is a radical change from my former work. It is like I have discovered a new art language for myself. Although I have used patterns in past paintings, this has evolved into art that is totally patterns within abstract shapes.” According to Gainor the series represents a year and a half of work within her theme of luscious eye candy. “In this stressful time of COVID-19, I want my work to bring some joy and hope back to people, and infuse welcome notes of happiness into the environment. As my Dad used to tell me, ‘Everything is going to be alright.’” She believes that “The vast majority of us will eventually get back to normal.”
The exuberance of her new work certainly encourages an experiential, welcoming view of art, and life itself.
The Detroit native and Los Angeles-based artist lives near the beach and has incorporated a kind of tidal pull of motion and wave in these new works. The colors are as bright and delightful as those on any beach ball, glistening in the sun.
“I have always used luscious colors. Matisse is an artist I admire for his use of color. I am not one to hold back in life or in my use of gorgeous, vivid color. Since the world is not black and white, and we have color, we should use it.”
Gainor began her art career working in oils, then made the switch to acrylic at least in part due to its quick-drying properties. Recently, she says that she starts her works with acrylic, and then uses “oil paint to emphasize sections of the painting and give depth and dimension without being exposed to the fumes as long. So, I have the best of both worlds.”
Her move into abstract came slowly. “I started out painting realistically, but I wanted to create rather than duplicate what is already there. I find abstract art freer, more exhilarating and intuitive for me.”
Certainly that is true in these abundantly bright and shimmering works, an antidote in part for the darkness of pandemic times.
Along with the exhibition at Gallery 825, Gainor’s work is also on view in the group show “Japan International Art Exchange Exhibition” at the Chiba City Museum of Art, her 17th curation into museum exhibitions.
Gallery 825 is located at 825 N. La Cienega in West Hollywood. Gainor’s opening reception runs August 14, 10-5; call the gallery for an appointment and other viewing times.
- Genie Davis; photos provided by the artist