JULY 24– SEPTEMBER 12: CAUSA SUI: THE ART OF JACQUELINE SOLIMEO

This exhibit, Causa sui (pronounced kau̯. sa ˈsʊ. i) is a Latin term relating to a philosophical hypothesis denoting that something is self-generating or self-creating. Artist Jaquie Solimeo offers her take on abstract painting and what makes her love it so much. 

As imperfect humans, she thinks that we can feel so aware of that imperfection that the process of creation and expression like art can be tainted. When Jaquie sees art that she carefully planned, re-visited, and toiled over, it seems ugly because what she really sees is this all-consuming battle against imperfection. Her experience with abstract art, however, is that it’s almost as if it creates itself. There’s no plan, no expectation, no anxiety…and in the end when she looks at it, she finally sees art and beauty. She sees nothing of herself and it’s like she had no part of it. It’s a special mental space to enter into when you can enjoy art as if you didn’t make it.

The mixed media abstract paintings in this Causa Sui collection are largely monochromatic and generally influenced by grunge. You can expect to see translucent layers, scrapes, markings, lines, drips, and bits of mica. Rarely are brushes or tools used during the painting process but rather air, motion, heat, and repelling mediums are used to create unique shapes and organic motion.