Exhibitions
Seattle-based painter Camille Patha’s new body of work invites us to consider the power of art in a provocative exhibition that unites a range of themes from the universe and intimate passions. Moving through the exhibition, visitors can see mostly abstract paintings that reveal hidden messages through their absence of recognizable images. This series shares the power of painting.
Camille Patha worked intensely on these new paintings over the last three years. Creating literally hundreds of works, the exhibition has more than fifty paintings that push the limits of our imaginations by depicting the indescribable.
Known for her unabashed use of color, Patha’s TAM 2014 retrospective exhibition and catalogue describes her bold style even in its title: A Punch of Color. Over the years, she also demonstrated talent with every subject she paints. Her early work with abstractions in the 1960s set the stage for the new body of work that has emerged in recent years.
Patha’s new paintings merge modern art movements into fresh contemporary works. Many of these paintings are void of recognizable people or places or things, yet they imagine and offer images for things that we typically don’t see, like feelings, emotions, and even the universe.
“After an impressive retrospective exhibition nearly a decade ago, I was expecting Camille to continue her signature style: a bold use of hot pink, bright orange, and citrus yellows,” said Faith Brower, exhibition curator. “I quickly realized Camille’s signature is not just her great use of color, but her daring and fearless approach to painting… that’s what makes it a Patha and that’s why people will want to see this work for years to come.”
Patha’s confidence with colors—especially black—continues to standout. Her themes are revelatory. As if that is not enough, there are a few new works that combine fabric with paint to change the way we understand lines, shapes, and depth—a few of the key characteristics of a strong painting.
The exhibition also features Camille in Color, a short film directed and edited by Seattle-based, nationally-known filmmaker David Wild. Wild explores Patha’s passion for painting.
Images: (Top) Camille Patha, Tuesday, 2020. Pastel on board, 19 7/8 x 21 7/8 inches. Courtesy of the artist. Photograph by Daniel DeVries. (Right) Camille Patha, No Ordinary Love Song, 2020. Acrylic, mesh, fabric, glitter, and coal on canvas, 48 x 84 inches. Courtesy of the artist. Photograph by Daniel DeVries.
