Paintings by Pasadena, California-based artist Jen Lobo. I found Jen’s work through Black Maria, a gallery in Glendale, CA with a great roster of offbeat West Coast art. Jen’s paintings border on the verge of kitsch but are also unsettling and very engaging – quite an unusual combination.
.“Jen Lobo has a great affinity for all things feathered and furry, avian and aquatic. Her work is a testament to that love for the natural world with a blend of human themes of love, loss, tragedy and triumph.” – Black Maria
I must admit I had a strong negative reaction to “Let Them Talk” (below left) when I first saw it – I was uncomfortable and mildly disgusted. I think I was reacting to the deer’s strange human qualities, its alien pink tongue and the odd fleshy background, but that doesn’t fully explain my visceral reaction.
I wanted to share this experience because a lot of really good art hits us deeply, perhaps subconsciously and causes this kind of emotional response. When people say they “hate” a piece of art I believe they are often responding to that kind of subconscious discomfort, but ideally we move beyond these initial reactions and are inspired to stop and reflect.
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