4me4you features - 'Fruitful Lands'.

4me4you recently experienced a captivating visit to the Gillian Jason Gallery, featuring the remarkable artist Colette LaVette.

In her latest series titled ‘Fruitful Lands’, Colette LaVette intricately weaves a tale of a mystical realm where utopia and dystopia intertwine, offering a lyrical depiction of human nature.

Drawing inspiration from the Rococo aesthetic, LaVette’s art is characterised by elaborate ornamentation, a delicate chromatic palette, and a penchant for the fantastical. However, beneath the surface allure of romanticism and opulence lies a deeper exploration of the primal essence of humanity, free from societal constraints.

LaVette delves into humanity’s origins, exploring our innate animalistic and carnal qualities before societal norms took hold. Her subjects, unlike those typically seen in Rococo art, defy static portrayal, existing fluidly within their surroundings, inviting viewers into intimate, spontaneous moments frozen in time.

Through intuitive, expressionist strokes, LaVette’s paintings continually unveil new layers, prompting viewers to embark on a visceral introspection.

The artist’s choice of materials further enhances the connection to nature and human history. Mixing linseed and lavender oil with natural pigments like ochres, lapis lazuli, and iron oxides, LaVette creates a palette that resonates with the human eye, echoing the muted tones of the natural world. These pigments, reminiscent of those used in prehistoric cave paintings, evoke contemplation on the evolution of art and society, bridging the gap between past and present.

Deliberately chosen subjects, such as young figures symbolising inner children and felines representing humanity’s dual nature, serve as metaphorical anchors, prompting viewers to reflect on their primal instincts and connection to the natural world.

Artist: Colette LaVette

Through her art, LaVette challenges us to reconsider our relationship with societal norms, encouraging a reconnection with our primal selves and a deeper understanding of our shared human experience across time.

Gallery: Gillian Jason