Sleepwalkers by Saundra Fleming & Jonathan Menashy

The work of Jonathan Menashy and Saundra Fleming begs the question, “what are the various ways of communicating through the human psyche; what does this act entail?” Human beings exist within various states of consciousness and in fact Saundra Fleming has said that her ideal way to “see” a painting is to slowly fall asleep in front of it.

Both Menashy and Fleming engineer a kind of psychological and moral reckoning that is to come. Phantasmagorical, these paintings move from psychological state into metaphysical crises. An elegance with Menashy and a certain lumpiness with Fleming, the sculpting of paint is extraordinary to consider when comparing the two artists.

The sleepwalk metaphor, as used to describe this upcoming show, can be used to guide one through the paintings. When is a person, asleep, morally, existentially, artistically? What does it mean to be fully aware or awake? And how do we describe what we are awakened to?

These works stretch profoundly to create pictures from the complexities of war to psychological disintegration, and paradoxically, transcend the horror of both through the love and articulation of being a painter. Or, perhaps they are simply redefining what transcendence may be.

Sleepwalkers is guaranteed to be a philosophical experience. And the artists, from the United Kingdom and Seattle, Washington thrive on the complexity of the world.

 

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About gallery110

Gallery 110’s mission is to provide dynamic opportunities to established and emerging professional artists in an environment that encourages creative expression, experimentation, and collaboration. As a nonprofit organization, the gallery fosters artistic and professional connections between its associated artists and the arts community at large through creative dialogue, the presentation of challenging and enriching curated exhibitions, public opportunities, and collaborative projects.