by #LizPublika
Anyone who has grown up or lived in Brooklyn long enough understands the need for green spaces. After all, there's a good reason that New York City was dubbed the Concrete Jungle. More recent city transplants and young residents may not realize just how much effort has been put in to make and/or revitalize the green spaces of the sprawling metropolis in the last 15 years, and it’s definitely a welcomed change.
The longing for green places and spaces are intimately familiar to the Brooklyn-based artist Tabitha Whitley whose debut solo exhibition, curated by Indira Cesarine, opens at The Untitled Space on Friday, October 11, and will be on view through October 19, 2024. Focusing on the themes of light and nature, the showcase will feature Whitley’s latest series of oil on canvas paintings alongside intricate works on paper.
“Despite growing up in the bustling environment of New York City, I find deep inspiration in nature,” explains Whitley. “The contrast between urban life and the natural world drives my desire to seek and represent green spaces, reflecting a longing for tranquility and connection.” While it’s fair to say that New York has a lot of concrete, parts of it have nevertheless remained as natural as possible for one of the largest cities in the world.
Whitley begins her process by creating an underpainting for a particular work. Contemplating on the transformative power of light, and the dewy softness of spring light specifically, she lays down the foundation for her painting. She then follows up with layers of vibrant oils to express color, illumination, and their dynamic. The graphite drawings featured alongside the paintings are on transparent drafting film, further enhancing this exploration by layering imagery with light.
To me, a lot of her oil works echo stained glass. The way she plays with highlights, midtowns, and shadows feels very familiar despite the different medium and format. But there is a simultaneous sense of pastel-like smoothness, where sharp edges are hard to find. I also see a lot of focus on community, with individual pieces depicting social moments and intimate exchanges. From that perspective, Whitley’s work also shows the nature of warm relationships in a positive light.
As an artist raised in Brooklyn, Whitley draws from her childhood experiences. Tree-lined streets to the time-stamped stoops are part of her experience, and she aims to envelop us in her world. Through her art, she seeks to share her sense of tranquility and connection to nature. And while it may be hard to find peace in the city, Whitley nevertheless encourages reflective engagement with our surroundings, however busy they may be.
Join artist Tabitha Whitley. for the opening reception on October 11, 2024, at The Untitled Space!
Note* All of the event information and images are provided by our partners.