‘Thus Spake Derrida’
A conversation with Cindy Holmes
The thought-provoking, colorful art of Texarkana’s Cindy Holmes is back in Dallas for a third solo show at Haley-Henman Gallery.
The exhibition presents new paintings by Holmes, who’s been challenging herself with a new medium and new approaches to abstraction in recent years. Titled “Thus Spake Derrida,” the exhibition runs through April 1. An opening reception Saturday will take place from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. We caught up with Holmes for an email Q&A about the show:
1. Tell us about the exhibition title and its allusion to Nietzsche and Derrida. How does that title operate within the art selected for this solo show? What does it mean to you?
“‘Thus Spake Derrida’ wasn’t my original title! Derrida was a philosopher who had very complex theories of life based on deconstruction. Something like if you broke down ugly, the parts could be beautiful and vice versa. Very simplified, but John Marcucci’s (the gallery owner with a doctorate in philosophy) first thoughts were about Derrida when I wrote in my artist statement that I was intent upon deconstructing the figure. So he convinced me to reference Derrida.”
2. In recent years you’ve been drawn to abstraction and acrylics. For this exhibit, can you discuss that approach and this medium? Where do you stand with abstraction now?
“I’ve totally changed to acrylics because of their versatility in layering but will never get over my love of the smell of oil paints! I’ve always loved the abstract or abstracted object but was one of those late-in-life artists that felt I should learn to draw and paint realism before I changed. It just took me many years to get up the courage to push myself.”
3. This is your third solo show at Haley-Henman. How did this relationship develop?
“John Marcucci with Haley-Henman has been a huge supporter of my work from the very beginning. Since I’m not such an outgoing person, approaching a gallery is always difficult for me. His remark of ‘Wow, I love your work!’ won me over instantly.”
4. What has been influencing your recent work? Any particular points of inspiration for subject matter?
“The human figure has been influencing my work for a number of years now and even though I’m leaning toward more abstraction, I still can’t let go of the human form. I took a wonderful road trip last summer and stopped at countless galleries just to look at artwork. I was blown away by 3 or 4 artists that had abstracted the figure in different ways. I think I was finally ready and confident enough in my abilities to go home and just work to see what I could do now. So I’ve spent the last 10 months or so experimenting with deconstructing the figure for the new series that I’m presenting.”
5. When people visit the gallery to see this show, is there anything specific or general you hope a viewer would receive from the work? What do you hope for them to gain? What sort of relationship do you like to establish with your art audience?
“I’m a colorist so I hope that people who come to see my work will take joy in the colors! Maybe the deconstructed figures will give them another way of seeing the human form as a story instead of as a portrait. I hope they will find them interesting enough to say ‘I think it means this….’ and everyone will see it just a little differently!”
(Haley-Henman Gallery is located at 422 Singleton Boulevard in Dallas, Texas. More info: 214-532-3225 or HaleyHenman.com.)