Hey Y’all! My name is Brooke, and I am CAL’s newest intern. I'm a senior in high school and planning on studying art curation in college. Here are a few thoughts I have on our current show, Lush. I hope you enjoy!
These days, the outdoors often feels like an inconvenient middle ground between the comfort of air-conditioned indoors. In a world dominated by man-made, manufactured, and monochromatic environments, artists and dreamers are increasingly drawn to the wild and lush. As I reflect on CAL’s summer show, I am captivated by the brilliant art that adorns the space.
The first piece, MoonBather (Nymph with a Strong Back) by Colleen Smith, strikes me as a clear reference to Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres's painting La Grande Odalisque (1814), which was the subject of much controversy. Ingres's painting features an idealized female nude, which has been criticized for its eroticism and perceived vulgarity. In contrast, Smith’s MoonBather presents a similar female nude sprawled across the canvas, but this woman seems more authentic. Her back folds into rolls as she looks over her shoulder, relaxed and at ease. Her face conveys judgment and caution, creating a striking contrast with her exposed body. This figure is not only vulnerable to the viewer but also to the natural surroundings. How often do we allow ourselves to be so unguarded and defenseless? I love this piece because the woman is unapologetically immersed in nature. In my opinion, she embodies the most "lush" qualities: content, confident, and full. MoonBather invites viewers to embrace their own lushness.
Another painting that caught my eye and heart is Kimono Dragon by Greg Brockmeier. This relatively large watercolor and ink portrait features a remarkably realistic Komodo dragon dressed in a fantastically floral kimono robe. I must admit, my appreciation for this piece is partly superficial; I find it utterly amusing. The play on words and the juxtaposition of a sophisticated headshot composition with a playful subject matter make it irresistible. To me, this piece is also lush. Even the simplest contributions to nature, such as a whimsically adorned Komodo dragon, bring us closer to the vibrant world around us.
Lastly, I must mention Lindsay Picht’s watercolor and gouache piece Bouquet Makers. This work illustrates what lushness means to most of us. In a world dominated by the artificial, moments of genuine connection with nature offer solace. Most of us are not mountaineers or park rangers; we engage with nature in more modest, sporadic ways. In Bouquet Makers, I see a reflection of my own lush life—simple and pleasant.
-Brooke
