Kathryn Macnaughton | Ripened Fruit

Kathryn Macnaughton | Ripened Fruit
July 6-27, 2023
340 Dundas Street West, Toronto
Opening Reception Thursday July 6, 5-7pm | Artist in Attendance

Bau-Xi Gallery is thrilled to present Ripened Fruit, the highly anticipated exhibition by Toronto-born, Lisbon-based painter, Kathryn Macnaughton. 

Artist Statement:

"This collection of new work embodies the essence of growth and maturity, just like the transformative process of a fruit where texture, taste and appearance evolve. After months of experimentation in the studio and learning to embrace failure, these new paintings have taken a bold departure from my previous body of work.

Over the past two years, I've wanted to explore new approaches, but it was crucial for me to feel at ease in my new environment in Lisbon before embarking on this new direction. Like my creative process being fully present in my daily life is essential during my walks, I'm very observant capturing mental snapshots of the vibrant colors, blooming flowers and the way the light hits the past buildings.

In contrast to my earlier work, where I would conceal areas, I lacked confidence in, I now expose the entirety of the painting. Imperfections are embraced and even encouraged. These paintings serve as a reminder that flaws are intrinsic to our individuality and authenticity, transcending the notion of perfection. The most exhilarating moments occur when happy accidents transpire, revealing uncharted territories and granting me glimpses into unexplored artistic avenues in these paintings. The act of failing is celebrated on par with succeeding as it is through the failures, the true growth and artistic revelations manifest.

This new collection exudes a sense of liberation, playfulness and spontaneity compared to my previous work. The process is unpredictable, demanding trust in my intuition, embracing the failures became paramount. The delicate process requires unwavering concentration, knowing precisely when to pour the paint and skillfully deciding whether to halt or push the boundaries, venturing closer to the edge of no return." - Kathryn Macnaughton, 2023

A graduate of OCADU, Macnaughton has exhibited in Canada and abroad since 2010. The artist's paintings are included in multiple international private, public and corporate collections.