“Childhood” has always been a fertile source for artists in all disciplines. We all had a childhood and, for better or worse, we all carry memories that often haunt us throughout our lifetimes. Ruby/Dakota, a scrappy young gallery in the East Village is presenting a two- person show entitled What The House Dreams Of that brings together two young artists with memories to share.
Though the artists did not know each other before being curated into this show, they both share a similar dreamy sensibility, making two-dimensional works that capture snippets of memory and still moments in the world.
Athena Parella creates exquisite drawings using charcoal powder, graphite, and pastel. Small, slightly ominous still life scenes evoke still moments from disturbing dreams. Presented in soft focus shades of grey that gracefully mask the often-disturbing dreams they capture. The monochromatic color scheme allows her very gentle and subtle renderings to resonate in a powerful way. They are haunting.
In Shoe Shadows, we see every possible type of doll shoe pinned on what could be a specimen board, casting long shadows behind them. Is it a child’s toy, a sample board, or a fragment of a lost dream?
Cassidy Argo, the second artist in the show, presents small oil paintings that, to me, convey a deep loneliness. Again, small moments, this time captured in oil paint, that are evocative of the images that stick in our minds, and we’re not quite sure why. They are gentle portraits of time and place. Thoughtful and delicate, they portend of long days and nights spent in chilly locales.
This is an elegant, quiet little show. The two bodies of work are nicely tied together by a giant dollhouse perched in the center of the gallery. A great touch, it acts as a fulcrum around which these dreams and memories swirl. This is a lovely introduction to two artists at the beginning of their careers and foretells of interesting work to follow.
What The House Dreams Of- Ruby/Dakota Gallery. Through Nov. 30. 155 East Second Street. @ruby_dakota.ny Featuring: Cassidy Argo @cassidy.argo and Athena Parella @athenakp
About the Writer: Melissa Stern lives in NYC and The Hudson Valley. Her mixed material sculpture and drawings are in corporate and museum collections throughout the US. Her multi-media project The Talking Cure has been touring the United States since 2012. She wrote about art and culture for The New York Press and CityArts for eight years and has been a contributing writer to Hyperallergic and Artcritical. Melissa has joined Art Spiel as a contributing writer.
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