It's time to get intimate with Seattle-based artist Kelly Bjork, who makes her gallery debut at New York's Nancy Margolis Gallery in her latest solo exhibition opening September 12, and on view through October 2019.
Through inviting narratives, Kelly Bjork depicts frank moments between friends and lovers within snug domestic settings. Painted with gouache and pencil on paper, expressive figuration, precise patterning, and hues greet the viewer with challenging, but amusing imagery. Her pleasure-focused motifs beckon a world without conflict and tension. In their place, figures practice self-care (Cultivating Space, 2019), indulge in leisure (The Oracle, The Witches, Us, 2019), and channel deep intimacy (Anima Rising, 2019).
Anima Rising, 2019.
Bjork’s small-scale compositions present rich visual complexity, rendering scenes in loving detail, with studious attention given to textures and patterns on walls, furnishings, and surfaces. Hanging tapestries, throw pillows, bed linens, bath towels, electrical outlets, rugs, artwork, and decorated vases play memorable supporting roles. Further, Bjork creates continuity with recurring items—a lampshade from her Joshua Tree series, an expressive abstract painting, a hand-stitched quilt, and a pink electric gemstone light, to name a few. The singularity of these objects signals that they are not generic, but exist in a particular location and bear special significance to the artist.
It's Okay, We're Both Okay, 2019.
Bjork’s frank compositions, coupled with the tenderness toward her cast of characters evokes the intimacy of polaroid snapshots, and many representations include the artist herself. Figures who inhabit her scenes are often nude or caught unawares, but comfortably coexisting with one another. Her visual memoirs include a portrait of a friend napping, a glimpse of herself in a bathroom mirror, and a naked man supine on a neatly made bed. Bjork’s vignettes of intimacy, comfort, and simplicity offer a welcome respite from the harsh realities of our world. Her paintings are easy to fall into, and once immersed, we too would like to be guests in Bjork’s home.
Kelly Bjork's solo exhibition comes to Nancy Margolis Gallery on September 12th, with an opening reception from 6 to 8 pm, and an artist talk on Saturday, September 14th, from 2 to 3 pm. The show is on view through October 26th, 2019.