Joint exhibition and thematic project "Authenticity lies in the eye of the beholder"
I want to share a great joy with you!
My heart is filled with gratitude because my work has been selected to be featured in the beautiful thematic project "Authenticity Lies in the Eye of the Beholder".
The exhibition was officially opened on July 5, 2024, at the HDLU Istria Gallery in Pula.
The gallery was full of artists, each with their unique story, and the air was filled with creative energy and excitement.
This thematic project was not only a homage to John Baldessari but also an invitation to explore the freedom of creation. Through learning about composition and breaking the basic "rules," we had the opportunity to step outside the box. We created new worlds, dreamed with our eyes wide open, and tried to reclaim those hidden parts of ourselves we may have forgotten. It was a journey through imagination that transformed us all.
My selected work, "Re-birth" (50×60 cm, acrylic and wood on canvas), is deeply personal.
Through this piece, I dared to showcase my authenticity – a self-portrait representing the transformation from darkness to light.
Inspired by Baldessari and his use of various visual and textual elements, I incorporated a butterfly, a symbol of change and fragility, which plays a key role in the work. The quote by L.R. Knost adds a deeper dimension to the piece.:
"And just when the darkness became too much to bear and the struggle too hard, the light broke through and the caterpillar emerged a butterfly delicate but unbroken, wild and gentle, finally free to spread its lovely wings and fly away on the wind."
This work is not just a painting, but a story of transformation, a journey through challenges towards the light.
The exhibition was a true feast for the eyes – so many different artists, each of us showcasing what authenticity means to us in our own unique way.
It was fascinating to see how this could be expressed through so many different media and approaches.
I can’t express how much it meant to me to have the support of everyone who attended – not just for me, but for all the participating artists.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being part of this experience and for lending your presence to strengthen our shared creative journey.
Irena