“The Listening World”
The Listening World presents a conversation between two artists who draw from personal experience and observation to contemplate the interconnectedness of the mind, body and universe. Influenced by her interest in Tarot, queer ecology and mysticism, Reid's paintings—spiritual and contemplative—evoke a nocturnal atmosphere that is both dreamy and enigmatic. Alluding to the subconscious and divine qualities of the natural world, she deploys symmetry and repetition throughout her compositions to create a hypnotic effect that transforms the familiar. This intention mirrors Reid’s admitted tendency to “think magically when interpreting things [she] encounters on a daily basis.” By imbuing symbols from the physical world to bridge the metaphysical the artists offer the viewer simple access points to ponder complex topics. Reid and Nemelc’s shared intention is not to be dogmatic in their messaging, but to create spaces for introspection, reflection, memory and association—phenomena that the artists note are too often resisted in our society. To this end, the pair’s shared depiction of flora and birds rather than humans as protagonists for this particular exhibition stems from the organisms’ universal appeal. Within the context of the paintings, these subjects serve as catalysts for empathy and engagement, steering the viewer away from the external, divisive distractions of reality, and thus working as vehicles for accessing and celebrating safe spaces.
