Liquid Bellies, Soft Bodies
in
Alumni artist exhibits on campus
by Lorna Mace (2001)
The McPherson Library walls breathe life, as three dimensional paintings seem to reach out of the walls this month and next.
University of Victoria graduate Laurel Terlesky's "Liquid Bellies Soft Bodies" is on display between August 12 and September 27 in the gallery in The UVic McPherson Library.
Terlesky's exhibit portrays the effects our thoughts have towards our body language. And the title refers to the way in which our physical expression is influenced by our more internal thoughts and feelings.
"Thus, the title refers to the malleable quality of a person's self-expression," Terlesky said.
Terlesky uses a dynamic mix between oil paints and fine black line work. The exhibit is a display that moves, converses and feels for itself. Terlesky refers to her history in dance, and in turn, communication using our bodies, when speaking of the inspiration for the pieces.
"The pieces here develop a conversation about body language," Terlesky said. "I find it interesting how often our intent is misunderstood depending on others' self-understanding and their personal experiences." She said travelling helped develop her view on art, and paved a road of self-discovery.
"By learning about other culture's visual expression I constantly learn about myself," Terlesky said. "Art, music and dance are at the root of our collective culture and identity."
photo by Jeff Birmingham
Terlesky's pieces could be considered abstract in the sense that the original intent and meaning does not immediately jump out at the viewer. They are subtle, and contain subtle messages, as they allow a viewer to take their own unique messages from the art. Terlesky begins with a theme, but allows the theme to be different and personal for everyone who views her works.
"Certainly the work is created from a particular topic for myself – but my audience will bring new ideas and understandings to the works." Terlesky said. "The beauty of having people interact with my work is to learn about how it affects them and what they see."
Terlesky's display is an enjoyable journey through the visual arts. Each painting tells a story of different aspects and movements of the human mind and form. Terlesky has shown an artistic maturity that can only come from her own experiences and journeys. Her love of artistic movement is displayed in the exhibit and will be shared by anyone who views the exhibit.
"When I see a modern dance performance it takes me on a special journey," Terlesky said. "It always surprises me to hear what my neighbour has thought about the same performance. There is a beauty in that."
Terlesky graduated from UVIC with a Bachelor Degree in Fine Arts, after evolving her skills in the visual arts with a focus on painting and photography. She has done extensive travelling throughout Thailand, Malaysia, Korea, and the United States, and has extended her artistic abilities to include film and digital media. The abstract pieces were created over a three-year period.