Pillow Talk
la Beast gallery is delighted to begin 2024 with a captivating group show titled “Pillow Talk”. Whether it be a quiet exchange pondering the view, a candid conversation after a wind-swept evening, or a whisper between lovers; there is quality of experience, difficult to untangle without the presence of another. Often these moments can be defined more by their truth telling nature, rather than any expected outcome. In such an occasion, pretense is dissolved and warm authenticity is revealed. “Pillow Talk” at its core, is about intimacy. Artists Rachel Dinwiddie, Katie Hector, Shaun Johnson, Nianxin Li, and Lilah Slager Rose wrangle tender meaning from the depths, prompting self-examination and deep-seated desires.
Aside from the obvious stylistic differences, this collection of works evoke an unquestionable sense of closeness. Not quite ephemeral, more like a compression of lengthy moments, the artists explore the roots of affection, and not always from a human point of view. In the case of Lilah Slager Rose and Nianxin Li, the subject matter is largely inanimate. Despite this, acts of loving expression are ever-present. Li and Rose establish the thought that a delicate connection is more a feature of a wider universe than a human-centric experience.
Throughout the curation, the “Vaporwave'' color palette is omnipresent. The artists of “Pillow Talk” wield color choice with a fearless intensity, presenting works that seem to have been dipped in a vat of luminescent pixelated static. Ultra-violet hues of pinks, purples, and teals dance across the room like an explosive irradiated sunset. Defined highlights and shadows pop, suggesting that something metallic must have been added to the painter's brush. Unique light saturation is also a distinct aspect of the show. Rachel Dinwiddie, Katie Hector, and Shaun Johnson all present subjects contained in spaces dappled with outlandish light. The effect is uncanny, suspending disbelief, launching the viewer into some bizarre hyper-reality.
“Pillow Talk'' is a body of work that is deeply sentimental. In the realm of retrospection, the world is a tantalizing and vivid place. Everything is possible, and no-one can dissuade you from your fantasies. These moments are private, though our desire to share these experiences is undeniable. Through a charming blend of mediums, these artists expose a visual landscape where dreams, demons, and delights commingle under a blanket of loving embrace.