Late final yr, as she was recovering from two knee replacements, Lisa Congdon (beforehand) was unable to commute to her Portland studio. Usually an avid biker, the artist discovered the restoration course of troublesome each bodily and emotionally, and he or she started to work in a sketchbook as a option to cope and create whereas residence. Photographs lower and collaged with paper crammed the pages and shortly grew to become the idea for a brand new physique of labor.
The Manner By means of, on view at Chefas Initiatives, presents 40 work that emerge from this era. Translating the distinctive scissor cuts to wooden panel, Congdon captures the irregularities of the unique paper items. “Ultimately, I recognized that the collection of collages was a sort of magic and decided to see what new work could be created based on their wonky, improvisational, pure form,” she says.
The result’s a set of vibrant works that always characteristic singular objects: a blue bowl of tangerines, for instance, or a thumbtack and bottle of Elmer’s glue. In every bit, Congdon transforms the mundane right into a vivid, colourful object of reverence and play.
Along with the work, The Manner By means of features a assortment of limited-edition serigraphs with the artist’s signature daring type and affirmations. When you’re in Portland, cease by to see the exhibition via August 16.




