has been for sale for some time, as you have seen. The maintenance and ongoing development to keep our non-profit and idealistic platform for contemporary art running and safe from hackers etc. costs money that is no longer there. Because of small investments that are necessary now and the running costs, we will have to shut down with a heavy heart at the beginning of summer on June 21.
Recent Activities of and on Karen Grosman
About me
Karen Grosman (KarenGrosman)
This collection of paintings are monotone pink portraits exploring ideas concerning superficiality, sexuality, commodity fetishism, complacency, beauty, distraction and the female identity.
I am interested in challenging myself to put complexity and depth in these works while working with a limited palette, exploring different psychological states and emotions through different colors. These paintings are oil on canvas or panel in a variety of sizes.
The paintings and objects are aesthetically inspired by my recent trip to Paris and the exposure to French Rococo paintings and architecture. Insects inspire me because of the amount of beauty, pattern and complexity within such a small size, especially the butterfly.
The creation of the objects began as a starting point for the paintings, I prefer painting from images or objects and the sculptures allowed me to create my idea in a 3D form before painting. They soon took on an energy of their own and I now consider it a separate part of my practice.
The paintings, ceramics and objects all influence each other and allow me to think in different ways, bringing new energy to each medium. This process allows me the creative freedom I need in my studio.
The ceramics are conceptually about Genocide, stolen wealth, and hiding the ugly with outward beauty. The fragility of the medium is used to make pieces which include bugs, bones, teeth, and other abject imagery, as well as more traditional objects of flowers and other beautiful subjects that contrast the more abject pieces.
- Biography
Karen Grosman’s artwork explores issues of power. Inspired by Foucault’s writings on power structures she explores different binaries within contemporary culture and within history. The issues, which she explores, include the naturalization of ideas surrounding race, gender and military organizations. It is the above problems, which she believes, influence dangerous and out dated ideals. This collection explores ideas of superficiality, sexuality, mental illness, identity, complacency, beauty, and the female identity.
She holds a BFA from OCAD University. Majoring in Drawing and Painting, Minor in Art History. History and politics are important influences in her work.
Her work has been showcased in National and International exhibitions. She is currently showing at Coastal Eddy Gallery in Laguna Beach, California.
Collections include the corporate office of Tenenbaum and Solomon Law Firm, Robert Kananaj Gallery and private collections in New York, Vancouver, Toronto, Nova Scotia, Mexico, and Denmark.- Exhibitions
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2015 Super Naughty Show #4, Super Wonder Gallery, Toronto
Studio Works by Art Battle Painters Part 1, #Hashtag Gallery, Toronto
Coastal Eddy A Gallery, Laguna Beach, CA
2014 Coastal Eddy A Gallery, Laguna Beach, CA
New Blood Art, Online Gallery, Toronto
Garage Sale Group Show, Robert Kananaj Gallery, Toronto
2013 NURTUREart Benefit, Bernarducci Meisel Gallery, New York, NY
RKG Second Anniversary Show, Robert Kananaj Gallery, Toronto
Group Show, Robert Kananaj Gallery, Toronto
2012 RKG First Anniversary Show, Robert Kananaj Gallery, Toronto
The Sex Show, Gallery 1313, Toronto
Toronto Public Library, Fairview Branch, (Solo)
Square Foot, Twist Gallery presented by AWOL Gallery
2011 Eclectic Selective, Chuck Akudu Gallery, Toronto
The Sex Show, Gallery 1313, Toronto
Order and Chaos, My Mothers Basement, Online Gallery (Solo)
Group Show, Studio 561
Holiday Show, Gallery 1313
2010 Eager, Artscape Wychwood Barns, 601 Christie Street, Toronto
Junction Arts Festival
Square Foot, AWOL Gallery
Group Show, Studio 561
Retrospective Show, OCAD University
2009 Eager, St. Michael's & All Angels Church, St. Clair Art Walk, Toronto
The Art of the Figure, OCAD University, Toronto - Publications
2015 Aboveground Featured Artist for January
2013 Throwing Elbows at an Art Show, The Wall Street Journal
In the Air, Blouin Art Info
2012 Interview with Robert Kananaj, Art Toronto
The Proof - Karen Grosman, Toronto is Awesome
Karen Grosman's Meat Collection, Zouch Magazine
Branch Magazine, Issue 9
2011 Leaf Garden Press, volume 11
2010 The Image Interviews Karen Grosman, The Image Interviews
Earth Pulse Magazine, Inaugural Edition
2009 Leaf Garden Press, Volume 1
