Intertwined II
Wax and oil on wood
80 x 60 cm

Laura Aranda,

a gifted artist from Mexico, presents “Intertwined II,” a compelling wax and oil work on wood, at krautART’s “Salon de Refusées.” At the Salon de Refusées we will showcase an art print of this wonderful painting, sized 70 x 52 cm – an exploration of the complexities of human existence.

Aranda’s journey in art revolves around several key themes. Her fascination with interpreting dream symbols, especially nightmares, stands out. She transforms these fleeting, ephemeral experiences into tangible, transcendent artworks. Aranda’s exploration of the human figure is equally intriguing. She dissects, deforms, exaggerates, and twists it, striving to maintain its essence. This process is a quest to understand her own existence more profoundly.

Portraiture, particularly of elderly individuals, is another area where Aranda excels. Her portraits capture nostalgia, melancholy, acceptance, and even fear, revealing the essence of her subjects. Her artworks, characterized by their movement between abstraction and figuration, evoke various emotional responses and interpretations.

Aranda’s style is dynamic and refuses categorization, influenced by movements like Impressionism, Post-impressionism, and both German and American Expressionism. Artists like Joan Mitchell, Claude Monet, and Emil Nolde, alongside contemporary figures like Jenny Saville and Salman Kooshroo, inspire her diverse and evolving approach.

As a painter, it is fundamental for my process to explore the qualities of different mediums, such as wax, oil, charcoal and other materials often considered traditional or obsolete. As an artist, rejection often comes with the territory.

I am proud to participate in this Salon de Refuseés, as it serves as a platform to redefine and celebrate the rejected, the overlooked, and the unconventional. I believe this exhibition is a testament to us artists’ resilience in the face of rejection, transforming adversity into a powerful expression.

The rejection of art is not merely a dismissal; it is an opportunity for reinterpretation and reimagination. Salon de Refusées challenges the conventional notions of acceptance and invites viewers to question the criteria by which art is deemed worthy or unworthy. By confronting rejection head-on, we unravel the layers of subjectivity that often shroud artistic discourse.

I believe in the intrinsic power of painting, and this project is an opportunity to encourage a dialogue about the subjective nature of artistic evaluation and invites viewers to reconsider their perceptions of what is deemed acceptable in the realm of art. As we collectively navigate this space of rejection, we find beauty in the unexpected and strength in embracing the unconventional.

Ultimately, Salon de Refusées is a testament to the transformative power of rejection, turning what was once denied into a symbol of artistic tenacity and innovation.

– Laura Aranda

Participate in Laura’s Workshop!

Laura Aranda travels from Mexico especially for the exhibition and gives a workshop on experimental drawing. You should definitely take advantage of this unique opportunity if you are interested in drawing and experimental techniques!

SALON DE REFUSÉES

The "Salon de Refusées" is an art initiative inspired by the historic 1863 Paris exhibition. It's a platform celebrating female (read) artists who've faced rejection, turning exclusion into empowerment. Our project is dedicated to showcasing art in its most authentic form, creating a space where diverse voices and stories are seen and revered. Join us in this artistic uprising, where each piece adds to our resilience and the unyielding spirit of creativity.