Anna Zorina Gallery is pleased to present Julie Severino’s debut solo, Turn on, Tune in, Drop Out. With her latest series of paintings, Severino captures the intricate tapestry of the human life cycle, weaving together the stages of existence while exploring the accompanying emotions. With a keen eye for relatability, the series delves into the universal experiences that bind us all.
Severino visually examines Timothy Leary’s famous countercultural phrase to question facets of existence. Collectively, this series reassesses established social structures while seeking alternative paths to personal growth. The artist delves into the core of humanity by providing representations of pivotal milestones in life’s grand narrative. By lifting the veil of subjectivity and cultural influence, Severino illuminates psychological nuances and provides a renewed sense through which we observe the self and others. A consistent presence in the series is the enigmatic woman, her subtle smile a reflection of fearless observation. Patient and unencumbered by fear, she embodies acceptance and welcomes the shifting currents of existence. Hands depicted throughout the series symbolize language and knowledge, providing crucial threads to the unfolding narrative. Animals and natural motifs appear as elements that bear intentional significance, reminding us of the lessons that surround us, waiting to be discovered. Shadows cast in the paintings evoke the unconscious self, capturing an aspect of the psyche that often remains elusive and challenging to embrace. The minutiae of each artwork is deliberate, reminding of the importance of the finer details in our own lives.
The interplay between abstraction and realism adds an intriguing layer to the series. The use of varying techniques, from loose brushstrokes to refined detail, serves to convey varied states of mind. The tension between knowing and unknowing, magic and curiosity, is artfully rendered to evoke complex visceral responses that resonate with each compelling moment.
Severino’s work across the mediums of painting, sculpture and poetry investigates the translations from two-dimensional to three-dimensional planes, between image and text. By immersing herself into the materialities of mediums such as oil paint, aluminum, magic sculpt, glass, paper and hair, the artist explores the bonds between visualities and poetics. As Foucault once stated, “the relation of language to painting is an infinite relationship,” writing often acts as a catalyst for further developments within Severino’s studio practice or alternatively, is inspired by preexisting projects. The resulting dialogue between paintings, sculptures and poetry situates the viewer within a constellation of the human experience and artistic expression.
For more information, please contact Marie Nyquist at +1212-243-2100
or via email at info@annazorinagallery.com.