Arts + Literature Laboratory presents Ethereal Spaces, an exhibition by Issis Macias on display from Tuesday, November 19 through Saturday, December 21, 2024. This exhibition is part of the Bridge Work Madison program.
Galleries are closed on Thursday, November 27; Friday, November 28, and Saturday, November 29, 2024 for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Gallery hours will resume on Tuesday, December 3 at 10:00am.
Exhibition statement
Ethereal Spaces is a journey into the "magic" within the fabric of our lives—a place where the unseen and the intangible come to life through abstract form. My work invites viewers into a realm of personal interpretation, encouraging them to embrace the unknown and find meaning in the interplay of color and form.
As a self-taught artist, intuition is the guiding force of my creative process, a practice known as intuitive abstraction. My preference for vibrant colors and abstract compositions is deeply rooted in my identity as a woman and daughter of Mexican immigrants, shaped by a strong matrilineal ancestry. I depict my life experiences, both beautiful and complex, in dynamic, colorful forms and unexpected markings. Through intuitive abstraction, I invite viewers into a sanctuary of introspection and emotional connection, embodying themes of joy and resilience.
This collection reflects a journey of deep emotional and artistic exploration. Embracing unconventional materials and methods, I bring the intangible to life, transforming raw feeling into vivid, abstract forms. I apply overlapping layers of acrylics with rollers and silicone wedges, stretching each stroke as far as my arm allows. The pastel markings similarly extend and capture my full-body motions on the canvas. Working on such a large scale allows me to engage the canvas and spontaneous pigments in a new way, floating in ethereal spaces where freedom and expression reign.
In Ethereal Spaces, I translate personal experiences into a universal dialogue, inviting viewers to immerse themselves and connect on a profound level. The tension between order and chaos, gesture and form, reflects life’s complexities and contradictions. By stepping into the artwork, viewers are invited to explore their own journeys of transformation, recognizing instances of the “ethereal”—moments that feel magical, transcendent, or deeply significant—within their own lives.
This exhibition is supported by a grant from the Madison Arts Commission and the Wisconsin Arts Board. The artist also extends her gratitude to Latinos Organizing for Understanding and Development (LOUD) in Madison, WI, for awarding her the Micaela Salinas Artist Fellowship, which facilitated the creation of the large artworks featured in this exhibition.
An opening reception for current exhibitions by Jessica M. Gutiérrez, Issis Macias, Nastia Craig, Matthew Braunginn, and Karen Laudon, will be held on Friday, November 22, from 5:30pm to 8:00pm. Issis Macias will deliver a Spanish-language artist talk at 5:30pm in the first floor performance gallery. Macias and Jessica M. Gutiérrez will deliver English-language artist talks starting approximately 6:30pm in the first floor performance gallery.
