Calida Rawles’ latest exhibition, “This Time Before Tomorrow,” marks a departure from her previous work, focusing on rippling abstractions and obscured figures. Rawles delves into the significance of water as a charged space for memory, drawing inspiration from scholars like Christina Sharpe and Saidiya Hartman. Through her paintings, she explores themes of change, hope, and the artist’s role in times of crisis.
Using a mix of hyperrealism and surreal distortions, Rawles captures moments of ambiguity in her artwork. Figures are depicted submerged in water, their bodies distorted by bubbles and reflections. The artist employs a chiaroscuro technique to depict deep, murky waters, symbolizing the current societal challenges and cultural disorientation.
Rawles reflects on the fractures within the American mythos, exploring themes of democracy, inclusion, and justice. She grapples with the shifting landscape of truth and justice, feeling untethered amidst these changes. Through her paintings, she seeks to evoke a sense of introspection and awareness of the turbulent times we live in.
The exhibition “This Time Before Tomorrow” is currently on display at Lehmann Maupin London until September 27. Rawles’ work invites viewers to contemplate the complexities of the present moment and the transformative power of art in times of uncertainty.
