April 7 to June 1, 2008

Kaya Murray

Familiar Faces, Worn Out Places

www.kayasart.com

Artist Statement

The language of metaphor reveals the depth of the bond between cats and women. Cats embody both women's worst and best traits. Think of cats and how they are described: as sleek, graceful, slinky, fluid or poised, to use some of the more positive words, or as duplictious and sly by those who dislike them. But always, essentially, in terms ordinarily reserved for feminine attributes.

Cats and women are so closely identified as to be, in our descriptive language at least, almost interchangeable, particularly when either of them retreat behind their essential personal mysteries. They are feline; they epitomize sensuality. The radiate cool: "Two tricks over the years have taught me how to conceal my tears", wrote Collette, the most feline of French authors, "that of hiding my thoughts, and that darkening of my mascara." Compare that enigmatic, elegant image to the kohlrimmed eyes of the calmly staring tabby, and remember that the cat is the basis for the riddling sphinx. I've always been rather fond of both cats and women and enjoy combining the two in my art.

Artist Statement

For me, art is a creative way to release internal pressures I am still struggling to understand

Daily questions about what it means to be a good person, struggles between the dark and light sides of myself, ruminations on death and impermanence, and dreams, stories and memories all play a part in my painting experience.

Through my painting I attempt to discover previously hidden secrets. I try to scare myself, get out of my "comfort zone", go on a journey where I don't know the destination and couldn't put it into words.

I search for colours not invented yet, images from long ago times forgotten, places that harken out to other internal memories and myths.

An integral part of my process is picking a song for each painting and listening to it repetitively while I paint. I find the music helps me enter another state, where time stops having meaning, and I am free to explore within the world of the canvas.

I hope that the finished painting will become a gateway that others can use to visit their own locked-up memories and emotions. Or lose themselves within these dreams, for a while.

Art is available for viewing at the Waterfront Theatre located at 1412 Cartwright Street on Granville Island, right next to the kids market, ONE HOUR prior to show time. (click here for theatre schedule)
If you require another time to view the work, please contact Carey Erickson at the
Granville Island Cultural Society at 604-687-3005