Heaven Reese Obille

“What is your favorite artwork?”

Curatorial Rationale

The theme of surreal nature in my artworks reflect on the exhibition selected through the idea of dreamlike scenes and unnatural scenarios of expression. The artworks in my exhibition focus on the categorization of the weirdness of nature by presenting unnatural situations, impacting my body of works to the audience by portraying surrealist scenarios and the. My vision for the presentation of my exhibition is to portray surrealist nature by combining human aspects in my body of works, as well as a personal statement towards my cat.

The materials that I mainly used to curate my exhibitions were graphite pencils and fabric. Three of my artworks presented were created with graphite pencils. One technique I used is by having a paint brush to blend in the graphite for a more toned and dreamy style. For my other artwork depicting a bear, I stitched on several of my stuffed animals to curate into one stuffed animal resembling a bear. I’m not a very good stitcher, so I stitched with smaller yarn since if I used bigger yarn, the entire piece would look messy since I don’t know how to stitch. The landscape artwork was created using acrylic paint and I tried replicating an impressionist art style. My last artwork showcased my cat in a stitched pattern on a canvas. It was easy to create, however it was hard to stitch on the yarn since the canvas material was hard since it was matted. The theme of surreal nature can be identified in my work as several of my pieces are surreal. Most of my artworks are influenced by the unnatural and by creating the odd aspects of life.

My selection of works are presented along one wall. The exhibition that I had set up is portrayed as simplistic in order to show off my artworks in that way. I have the acrylic painting be presented in the middle because it is larger than all the other artworks. The other artworks are smaller or medium sized so it is off to the side, balancing the set up. A simple set up arrangement is beneficial for the audience because the simpler the better understanding they have of the artworks. I intend for the audience to come up with their own understanding of my artworks.

Reese’s Art Work

  • Untitled

    Acrylic paint on canvas
    11 cm x 9 cm

    This piece is inspired by Joseph Raphael’s UNTITLED (BELGIUM HOME IN THE CABBAGE FIELD). His use of brush strokes and paint application provided this particular artwork with the composition and use of brush strokes as well. The variation of texture applied on the canvas made his artwork interesting to see. This artwork is done with acrylic paint on canvas and was done in the impressionist style emulating Raphael's techniques.

  • Striped, Cat, and Fish

    Fabric, acrylic paint, and paper
    11 cm x 6 cm

    This artwork was inspired by Marta Dimitrova’s Crazy Cat painting and Louis Wain’s cat paintings. Both of the artists used very vivid coloring which inspired this artwork. Dimitrova’s use of simple shapes outlined her use of basic forms in the painting, which is representative of the art. Wain’s use of vibrant colors gave off an intense feeling that the piece tried to emulate through the use of various textures and colors.

  • Flower Power

    Graphite on paper
    10.16 cm x 15.24 cm

    I was inspired by surreal art and the representation of dreams, mimicking real life in parody artwork. Most art these days try to replicate reality, although I intended to offer an obscured reality by presenting a new perspective on the idea with the strange. The artwork is also intended to portray the idea that there is beauty in the uncanny, invoking a sense of uncomfortable atmosphere for the one viewing the artwork too as well.

  • Fertilizer

    Graphite on paper
    22 cm x 28 cm

    I intended for this work to represent everyday situations turning it into unusual and unnatural creations. The feeling I wanted to convey to the general public was to evoke a tone of eeriness that makes them feel a sense of menacing undertone behind the work. I was inspired by surreal art and everything bizarre. With that in mind I was inspired to connect it to my theme which is nature.

  • Blue-bear-y

    Stitched fabric with cotton
    10.16 cm x 22.89 cm

    Presenting my surreal piece of a stuffed teddy bear, I wanted to explore the weirdness of the creative mind. I wanted to incorporate humor into my piece by showcasing that idea. Bears are usually symbolized as being aggressive creatures. Although in my piece, the bear is docile. The art I enjoy are the ones that are representative of the art itself and I wanted to incorporate that to try and embody the idea.

  • Dodo Bird At Tower Bridge

    Digital Collage
    2024

    Presenting contemporary art through this collage work, I created an abstract digital piece assembled from three photographs I captured from the various places I traveled to while on vacation. The orientation of this digital piece is organized in a way that is visually appealing, controlled chaos. The addition of the Dodo bird added in a sense of confusion for the general viewer, which is what I am trying to convey. The message of this collage work can be interpreted in any way.

  • Easter Sunday

    Graphite and colored pencil on paper
    10.16cm x 15.24cm

    Easter is a holiday symbolized by the celebration of the salvation of hope and the defeat of death which is a joyous occasion. Easter is commonly known for its holiday mascot the Easter Rabbit, so I wanted to create an artwork depicting the Easter Rabbit in an unusual way. I also strayed away from the Easter aspects by not incorporating eggs. Instead, I had the Rabbit hold a carrot which is what rabbits are mostly known for eating.