Lorène Bourgeois at loop

 Lorène Bourgeois in front of White Mantle at the Opening Reception
Photo by Patricia Njovu 2012

With Entourage, Lorène Bourgeois juxtaposes large-scale drawings on paper with smaller paintings in oil on slate.  Her images investigate the ambiguity of the face, the head, and the body, disclosed or obscured through clothing, framing and head-dress.

Installation Shot of Entourage at loop Gallery
Photo by Peter Legris 2012

Here, head-dress is examined not only for its social or utilitarian functions, but also as a framing device and a theatrical artifact.  Thus, a woman’s bonnet, the veil of a nun, or a bow tied upon a girl’s head are reconsidered in these works as objects of strange beauty.

With the paintings on slate, the face is rarely seen in its entirety.  Instead, fragments of slate, with their imperfections, uneven shapes, grooves, veins, and gashes, become supports for more intimate views of cheek, eyes, ear or nose.  Strangely, the stone recalls the flesh, and this apparently cold material seems to come to life, much like a skin.

Entourage also plays with the idea of presence, allowing potential alliances to form between the faces fixed illusionistically upon the walls and those of viewers - each gazing at one another.

Lorène Bourgeois at loop
Photo by Peter Legris 2012

Lorène Bourgeois lives and works in Toronto.  Her work in drawing, painting, and printmaking has been exhibited across Canada, as well as in France, Korea, Russia, and the United Sates.  She is represented in private and public collections, including Canada Council Art Bank, Banff Centre for the Arts, Department of Foreign Affairs, Ernst & Young, MOCCA, National Bank of Canada, Richmond Hill Public Library, and University of Toronto (Hart House and Donovan Collection).

Lorène Bourgeois gratefully acknowledges the support of the Ontario Arts Council.

loop is open this weekend: Saturday noon to 5 pm and Sunday 1-4 pm. The artist will be in attendance at the gallery on Sunday, June 3 and Sunday, June 10.