MICHELLE JADER
It’s Showtime
Amagical world of lights, sound and fun fill the canvases of Michelle Jader’s newest paintings that will be on view at Robert Lange Studios in Charleston, South Carolina, this August. The show, aptly titled It’s Showtime, focuses around amusement parks and performers and the experiences of being in those moments.
Jader says, “The carnival is an invitation for us to embrace the world with a childlike sensibility of possibility and daring. The light, the movement, the sounds and smells take you out of your head and you begin to play with your fears and inhibitions. When you step through the gate or behind the curtain, you literally become part of the show.”
Often woven through Jader’s artwork is the theme of personal growth, with these works honing in on the notion of challenging yourself and breaking free from fears. She explains, “When we invite ourselves to be taken in by imagination and fantasy and suspend our hesitations, we can discover a deeper connection to ourselves. There are moments in life that are serene and times that are brimming with excitement. My own life is feeling a bit like an exhilarating, white-knuckle ride with climbs, drops and spins. I simultaneously want to stay on and get off.”
Painting her works on multiple panels of acrylic that are stacked one on top of the other allows Jader to create depth and movement of each performer and ride that is not just seen by the viewer but experienced. In Double Dare, an acrobat on an aerial hoop seemingly moves from one position to the next—her transitions blur to the final pose. Rides such as swings and a carousel come to life in her paintings Interlude and Phantasmagorical 2, where the sensation of being on the ride or watching it move returns to the viewer’s memory and imagination.
It’s Showtime will be on view August 3 to 27, with a reception taking place opening night from 6 to 8 p.m.