Image by Karen Ann Myers http://www.karenannmyers.com http://www.scoopcontemporary.com by Karen Ann Myers
SCOOP Studios is very pleased to present Karen Ann Myers in her solo exhibition, titled “A Room of Her Own”, opening October 7th – 29th. An artist’s reception will be held on Friday, October 7, from 5 to 8 p.m.
In this new series of paintings, Karen Ann Myers continues to explore what it means to be a young woman in contemporary society. Myers investigates the psychological complexity of women through intimate observations in the bedroom. Her large-scale paintings are inspired by the cult of beauty in contemporary mass media. Intricately painted, decorative interiors are invented, using collage techniques, to overwhelm and titillate the viewer.
While Myers’ solitary female figures are strong and confident in their sexuality, these paintings also offer a glimpse into the confusion and doubt felt by women in their moments alone. In this way, her paintings serve as psychological self-portraits. Each one is a reflection of feelings and experiences that she has gone through, and each is a projection of the progression of her moods and emotions while painting them. Through this projection and reflection of herself in her paintings, each work has a strong link with self-portraiture.
Myers is also interested in infusing these paintings with a true emphasis on sex and glamour inspired by the cult of beauty in contemporary mass media, and exploring how this world affects her central female figures. The duality of these three dimensional human forms and their flat intricately patterned surroundings is a juxtaposition that she enjoys emphasizing in her paintings. By highlighting the dualities of confident but hesitant women and flat but somewhat three-dimensional compositions, Myers strives to present a personal yet universal depiction of the world of women.
The title of the exhibition is inspired by famous English novelist and critic Virginia Woolf’s essay “A Room of One’s Own”.
"In a series of mid-sized fleshy paintings of hyper sexualized young women, the work seamlessly combines heavy flat patterns with figuration. Patterns slide in and out of abstraction, only grounded by the figures in the image. Based in self portraiture and personal narrative, Myers work both questions and confirms the objectification and idolization of youth and sexuality in American culture. The fleshy flatness of pattern and color reflect the soft, subtle handling of the figures, and when the figures are absent, the color and line mimic the curves of the forms. - Julie Henson, Daily Serving
Karen Ann Myers is a graduate of Boston University (MFA) and Michigan State University (BFA). “A Room of Her Own” is her third solo exhibition at SCOOP Studios. In addition to being an artist, she has been executive director of Redux Contemporary Art Center, in Charleston, South Carolina since 2009 and is adjunct faculty at the College of Charleston, teaching in the Arts Management Department. Starting October 3rd, she will take the position of Assistant Director at the Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art at the College of Charleston School of the Arts. She has exhibited at LUIS de JESUS, Los Angeles, CA; Robert Steele Gallery, New York; Dalton Gallery, Agnes Scott College, Atlanta, GA; Danforth Museum of Art, MA; Katzen Arts Center, Washington, D.C.; 808 Gallery, Boston; Robert Lange Studios, Charleston, SC; and (Scene) Metrospace, East Lansing, MI among other venues.
For further information, please call (843) 577-3292 or email info@scoopcontemporary.com
