Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Seeded and Soiled...

I rarely get to see my friend, Monica Cook. It has been years since I last saw her. The last time was randomly on a chilly subway platform. I spotted her from another car and got out to tap her on the shoulder even though it wasn't my stop and I was running late. Her friend, a woman I recognized from her paintings, was isolated on the other side of the turnstile, the shadowy lines of wrought iron painted on her face. It was a surreal exchange that somehow embodied the otherworldly quality of her paintings at the time.

I recently found out that Monica has a new show opening in Atlanta at the Marcia Wood Gallery. The show opens October 22nd and will run till November 28th. It is entitled, "Seeded and Soiled." The new paintings are a decadent collision of figures and food – exploring the fine line of seductive beauty and aversion. Her luxuriously rendered figures are dripping with sweat and sweets, glistening with sugar and seafood.

Looking at these paintings is like seeing her again after all these many years.

8 comments:

kate mckinnon said...

whoa. that painting is both amazing and deeply disturbing, like a mass grave after a party. what incredible skill she has with the brush. Those hands! Those feet!

Nightmares could follow.

Lynn said...

Hey! Atlanta! You said 'Atlanta'! I'm in Atlanta! Maybe I should put this on my list, ya think?!

;)

Andrew Thornton said...

Hey Kate! I agree... there's a lot in the painting, both frightening and fantastic. She really is a master with the brush and just one of the sweetest people ever. I know you'd like some of her early works. They are haunting, beautiful and have lots of birds in it.

Andrew Thornton said...

Hey Lynn! I did say, "Atlanta!" You should definitely put this on your list. I'm driving up from Florida next week and want to make a pitstop at the gallery. If you happened to be at the gallery at the same time, I could hit two birds with one stone. :-)

Lynn said...

Please, Mr Andrew, don't throw no stones at me, please no stones, please!

kvk said...

Extraordinary - nothing like masterful, disturbing work to challenge my sensibilities! What must be weaving through her mind ...

jennifer said...

Monica! Wow.

Anonymous said...

monica is so very kind and gentle and I had forgotten we had the this kismet connection ;)
I am utterly jealous that you were able to view her new work.