Connected To All That Is
connected to all that is
Rachel Rubenstein
on view through April 13, 2024
FORMah Gallery is pleased to announce, “Connected To All That Is”, an inaugural solo exhibition of works by Rachel Rubenstein, opening on March 8, 2024 from 6- 8pm.
Living and working in San Diego, CA, Rachel Rubenstein takes inspiration from her upbringing in California. Embracing a process-driven approach to abstraction, Rubenstein embarks on an ongoing journey of discovery and experimentation which has become a defining element in her work.
Strips of canvas are meticulously affixed, torn, and repeatedly manipulated, sometimes undergoing multiple iterations. The work is punctuated by the textures of what’s been left behind. The horizontal lines symbolize fluctuating thoughts or patterns, expanding or contracting in response to varying circumstances. The artwork is evolving into a reflection of the artist’s innermost self, offering a raw and intimate glimpse into her emotional journey, utilizing distressed canvas as the medium of expression.
This series marks a departure from her earlier monochromatic works, embracing color to convey a richer emotional experience. By repeatedly pouring pools of fluid acrylic onto the canvas, her work acquires a sense of vitality and substantiality, enhancing its transformative quality.
Her sense of emotionality combined with color and texture create a visual experience. Making use of acrylics, gels, and canvas, she thinks of the surface as an emotional entity, navigating a rigorous process to show what it is to transform.
A sense of tension associated with the process cannot be ignored as the artist delves deeper into the inner realm, examining difficult emotions and uncomfortable feelings. The deconstructed surfaces embody emotional landscapes, with the canvas itself becoming a metaphor for life's complexities. Through this evocative technique, viewers are offered a chance to contemplate their own emotional journeys and the transformative power of resilience, ultimately emphasizing the importance of embracing and exploring one’s emotions.
Passionate about healing and growth, Rubenstein is painting in response to her inner world. “I look at the canvas as a feeling being - I want the surface to go through something difficult and to see it come out the other side. It’s a gentle reminder to myself to see change, to allow for change to happen.” Rubenstein highlights that her work holds a positive message of hope.
Learn more about the artist
we invite you to visit the gallery.
