Clockwise from Top Left Corner:
Two-faced Odalisque, Acrylic on Panel, 48x36";
Sleeping Muse, Acrylic on Panel, 36x48"—In the Artist's Studio;
Between Then and Now, Acrylic on Panel, 36x48";
Marking Time, Tinted Gesso on Paper, 38x50";
Bird Charmer, Acrylic on Panel, 48x36";
Adventures of Lo, Tinted Gesso on Paper, 40x30";
Paper Doll #1, Collage on Paper, Cut Paper, Acrylic Paint on Paper, 16x20"
K. A. Letts with her work on a power box
(a project funded by the Arts Alliance of Michigan)
“My work looks both forward and back in time. I employ techniques and strategies from painting’s history to describe the present Anthropocene age where all of nature is touched by humans and all humans are touched by technology.”
I read once that every painting tells you how it wants to be talked about. My pictures provide multiple different ways to be looked at and comprehended. Sometimes they refer to art historical genres (Two-faced Odalisque). Often they have a strong narrative derived from myths, allegories and legends (Adventures of Io, 9 Muses of Detroit, La Chasse Gallerie). I also frequently use text from world literature in English or Latin to add resonance to the visual imagery.
On a formal level, I have incorporated elements of painting genres from around the world, such as Australian Aboriginal art, European Cubism, Indian miniature painting and Russian icons. I’ve been influence also by street art and and the visual language of graphic novels believe the synthesis of these influences has provided me with a visual language that allows the expression of my world view in a completely unique way.
A set and costume designer by training (MFA Yale Drama School), K.A. Letts brings an unusual skill set to her paintings and drawings. The artist has absorbed the influence of early 20th century European masters and has combined them with techniques and imagery from aboriginal art, outsider and street art to create a unique visual language. Her erudite yet accessible figurative works are tightly crafted, carefully drawn, deeply felt.”
Her work will be on view in a group show entitled “Just My Type” next month (February 2016) at Whitdel Arts in Detroit.
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Ann Arbor, Michigan