WTF Are You Even Working On?
You know those months where so much happens that it feels like nothing got done? Yeah, me neither—let’s reflect together.
Loft Projects x The Hole: Echo Chamber
As you may know, Loft Projects (the curatorial initiative I run with Leslie Weissman) curated a show at The Hole, which just closed this Sunday (RIP).
The exhibition, Echo Chamber, explored appropriation in contemporary art, looking at how artists borrow from art history and pop culture. The premise was simple: “Good artists copy, great artists steal” - Picasso said that, and whether or not he actually did, the sentiment stands. I personally love when artists pull from strong reference points - nothing in life is truly new, just seen through a different lens.
We had 22 artists (I think? math is hard), and each one provided a 60-second-or-less voice clip explaining the references behind their work. This was one of my favorite parts of the show - getting a peek into the artists’ minds and seeing how influences translate within them.
And now, my personal take: Curating at The Hole was a fever dream.
It’s been my dream gallery for years (whatever that even means). They’ve always leaned into bold, graphic-driven artists, which is what I resonate with. I spent years in graphic design and art direction before surrendering my life to the art world (penance and all). Seeing this come full circle, from visiting The Hole as a Parsons freshman to curating a show there? Absolutely unhinged behavior from the universe, and I love it.
Andy Dixon, Getty Villa, 2025, Acrylic and pastel on canvas, 36 x 50 inches
Oh, and speaking of dreams coming true: We got to include Andy Dixon, an artist I’ve been obsessed with for years. I never thought our paintings would be in conversation, let alone in the same show, but here we are. And to be clear - I made my obsession with Andy very known from day one. No chill, only manifestations.
And Now, ME
I had three pieces in the show: (yes, the below photo only shows 2)
"The Whole Thing" – A cheeky nod to The Hole (get it?). This piece was actually acquired by Intuit for their corporate collection at their brand-new office, which was a great little ego boost.
Here she is in all her glory - installed at her new home at Intuit!
(shout out to my bff’s boyfriend for snapping this pic)
"Like Crazy" – Titled after one of my favorite films, my titles are never an afterthought - they always add context, whether it’s a nostalgia/ pop culture reference that ties back to the visuals, or my emotional state while making the work.
If you would like to hear me ramble about my works:
"The Grinning Paradox" – A last-minute addition that replaced "The Whole Thing" once Intuit collected it. It also pushed me beyond monochrome into multicolor (growth!). It’s a deconstructed Cheshire Cat, playing with illusion, mischief, and that unsettling feeling of being watched. (cue ‘anxiety’ by Doechii)
And in exciting (slightly miraculous) news - both "The Whole Thing" and "Like Crazy" sold. Given the current spiraling art market, I feel like this deserves some recognition.
The Grinning Paradox is still available and on consignment with the Hole through July 2025 - wink wink
Studio Updates
I’ve been playing around a lot more with perception lately, trying to break down in my own way what I believe op art is. There’s something so satisfying about tricking the eye, and I want to push that further in my own visual language. My latest works (all still in progress) are an experiment in depth, color interaction, and optical effects - which basically means I’m just confused all day long while creating these pieces, but that's kinda the fun part.
This piece (on the right) is titled "A Pile of Stuff," and because sometimes I think the phrases I reference might be a tad too niche, I will kind of explain myself - this piece contains a lot of cerulean, need I say more?
That’s it for now. In the next issue, I’ll be talking about what’s next in the studio, upcoming curations, and whatever else is rattling around in my brain.
See you in two weeks, (or sooner) - who’s to say 😉
xoxo Charlotte