Question: Tell us about a piece of art that you love? Show it to us and tell us what you find beautiful about it – what you find ugly about it – and perhaps some personal history between you and the piece?
Answer: Dragonfly by Apryl McAnerney Murray (Her divorce finally came through last year…)
I should say: this image is a bad copy; it does nothing to convey the colors that greet you when you stand in front of the original image. The piece is 48 by 36 inches. Apryl is a master at large scale. She is also the notorious owner of (the) Slap-N-Tickle (me) gallery here in the Crossroads of KCMO.
What do I find beautiful about the work? The detail, the intricate patterns and textures, the mandala-esque nature of the composition. Apryl has always amazed me for the ease at which she ripped open the flesh and offers the truth of a soul. From her artist statement on her website (link no longer active): My work is all about women- the masks we wear, the forms we take, the roles we play, just to scratch out a bit of happiness and comfort. I find an image of a woman that fits a fleeting idea in my mind but does not fit into perceived reality. I reinvent her, taking away one thing in sacrifice for another. I might take her legs but I’ll give her wings. These are the kinds of choices we make all the time. We passionately give parts of ourselves away in trade for security, safety, love, acceptance or whatever it is we’ve forgotten how to give ourselves.
The only thing I hate about it really is the fact that my finances make me have to borrow time visiting it.
As for my personal history? Apryl used to date an artist here on my floor in the Hobbs. They used to share exhibits space for Open Studio and Gallery nights to double each one’s exposure. This piece hung in the hallway of our floor for over a year, until Apryl took it back to hang for her personal show at the Slap-N-Tickle last fall. I paused in front of it nearly every day of that time. I passed it on the way to and from the hall bath. It is spellbinding. Inspiring. It is Apryl. At some point, I will become a better artist for knowing her and for having spent so much time engrossed in this image.
March is question month: ask your questions here.
gryphon's hole 