Laura Krudener "Suspended Chaos" at Plus Gallery

 

Laura Krudener's first solo exhibition received a great response on its opening night at Plus Gallery,  where Krudener is represented in Denver, CO. Titled "Suspended Chaos," the show presents the artist's exciting new body of work. Comprised of eight large scale paintings, these works examine the ways in which we struggle to find stillness amongst a society that runs on endless news feeds, an overload of information and visually stimulating content. 

The sporadic movement captured on Krudener's raw canvases juxtaposes the thick and heavy weight of her paint pours, which she applies from above the canvas. The bold colors of enamel and acrylic paint explode against one another - creating a color discord, somewhat, with pinks, oranges, blues, and yellows all fighting for attention and yet floating together. Additionally, each work is embellished with unique mark making, where Krudener uses marker and charcoal to follow along some of the pours or to become an extension of them. 

Dripping in Gold, 2013, Acrylic, enamel, charcoal, and marker on raw canvas, 60 x 60 in.

Krudener's process is entirely additive, meaning each pour and action sets the stage for the next motion until the painting reaches its completion. This, combined with her unplanned compositions and the receding edges of her canvases, result in a stunning effect that literally leave the the works hanging in suspension. It is as if, when we look at these paintings, we are actually looking into our own lives, hanging in the delicate balance of always being "on the go" while attempting to find the peace and stillness we all are seeking. 

Awakened Dreamers, 2013, Acrylic, enamel, charcoal, and marker on raw canvas, 84x108 in.

It is altogether beautiful yet eery, the way Krudener can make these seemingly simple observations and create works that are truly of this time and which speak to our souls. That said, this new body of work certainly attributes to her recognition as a standout artist amongst the field of abstract expressionism - one many say has over saturated today's art market. Rather than giving us more of the same, Krudener is contributing to the longstanding tradition of abstract expressionism by capturing an emotional intensity that speaks to our spirituality and uncovers our deepest feelings. After spending some time with these works, I find myself contemplating their meanings days later - their bold colors and sweeping movements still resonating - and ultimately, what they mean to me.

Twisted and Unraveling (Triptych), 2013, Acrylic, enamel, charcoal, and marker on raw canvas 36 x 36 in.

Laura Krudener is an abstract painter living and working in Denver, Colorado. She was recently profiled in this month's Colorado edition of Luxe Magazine and on the online magazine Curbed.com, which you can see here http://curbed.com/archives/2013/08/28/inside-the-edgy-interiors-of-elizabeth-bolognino.php. You can also visit the artist's personal website at http://laurakrudener.com/.