Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris, renowned for its illustrious residents such as Oscar Wilde, Marcel Proust, and Frédéric Chopin, served as a profound source of inspiration for artist Marina Kappos. During her visit last year, she was captivated by the poignant sculptures of grieving women that adorned the tombs. "These figures exude a unique power within their sorrow, embodying both beauty and remembrance," Kappos reflects.
Her latest solo exhibition, Piercing the Veil, opening at SHRINE this week, invites audiences to explore the intricate themes of loss and memory. "Grief is a complex and layered topic; it resonates with our current times. Yet, amidst the sadness, there is a sense of hope and vitality," she notes. The cemetery context emphasizes the delicate balance between life and death, prompting Kappos to investigate the connections between presence and absence, the earthly and the ethereal, as well as the notions of impermanence and decay.
Featuring Kappos' distinctive aura-like acrylic paintings on wood panels, the exhibition showcases her signature technique of layering pigments to create a mesmerizing, psychedelic effect. The title of the show alludes to the concept of awakening--achieving a heightened awareness or understanding of the world around us. "These artworks represent that transition, moving from one realm to another," Kappos explains.
In several pieces, hazy landscapes emerge, with keyhole shapes that evoke a sense of discovery, almost reminiscent of a Magic Eye illusion. These focal points serve as portals, unlocking our beliefs and the mysteries of the unknown, or perhaps offering glimpses into another time or place. The figure of the widow, inspired by gravestones, is elegantly portrayed through delicate facial profiles and hands. Kappos describes her as a figure who, although left behind, possesses a spectral quality--one that embodies power, magic, and resilience, capable of navigating between two worlds.
Piercing the Veil will be on display from May 15 through June 27 in New York City, inviting viewers to engage with themes of grief and hope through Kappos' evocative art.