Faculty of Art

Criticism and Curatorial Practice

Nina Ankisetty

Anatomy of Blue

This solo exhibition by Toronto-based artist Anita Lasek depicts the tangibility of the body through a blue haze, evoking the intangible experience of grief and loss. Her paintings of figures intertwining and dissolving illustrate transience and the intangible. The deep tones pull the viewer into a blue haze, while the icy highlights draw out the figures. By limiting the colour palette, the gestural paint strokes and abrasion of the surface are noticeable features. The blue haze evokes the feeling of drowning by enveloping the viewer in a sea of blue. However, through the depiction of the figures and the treatment of paint, Lasek maintains a dual sense of calm and tension. Lasek’s focus on anatomy is representative of her view of the body as the most stable form within a world where memories are fleeting. Through her paintings, she aims to capture the essence of the figure while still allowing them to merge with the colour. Anatomy of Blue invites viewers to sink into Lasek’s paintings and explore the tangible and intangible within the grieving process. Curated by Nina Ankisetty