Opening Friday, February 23rd, 6-9pm
UNION Gallery is pleased to present Rose Electra Harris’ Parade exhibition. The London-based artist’s practice fuses the traditional and contemporary, resulting in works that pulsate with eccentric charm. In Harris’ Parade exhibition, the artist pays homage to the rich lineage of floral painting while simultaneously embracing the liberating ethos of abstract expressionism.
In this artistic realm where traditional floral painting and innovative abstract expressionism collide, Rose Electra Harris has found her voice. Parade marks a moment in time reflecting on Harris’ progression as an artist. Whilst she embraces the enduring allure of floral motifs, her interpretation is refreshing and contemporary. Harris' works have moved to dismiss the confines of realism, adopting instead a more layered and surrealistic approach. She has come to weave traditional elements with abstract forms, using a kaleidoscope of colours and elaborate marks to draw in the viewer.
Abstract expressionism has left an indelible imprint on Rose Electra Harris's most recent works. Echoing the principles of the movement, Harris explores hues and shapes not simply for representation, but as catalysts for emotional resonance. Using her canvases to take one on a journey into her inner world, reflecting deeply personal narratives and experiences. This is exemplified in her daring use of vibrant, interlacing colours, energetic lines, and her propensity for transforming known forms into the unexpected. Instead of depicting a faithful reproduction of the natural world, she reaches for the intangible – capturing the essence of a moment, the texture of a memory, or the ephemeral beauty of a flower. Harris's abstract expressionist leanings thus endow her work with a dynamism that transcend the limits of conventional floral painting.
Rose Electra Harris occupies a distinctive space, marrying the timeless grace of floral painting with the raw, emotive power of abstract expressionism. Her captivating body of work stands as a tribute to the enduring enticement of these genres offering a tantalizing exploration of their synergistic potential. As she perpetually tests the boundaries of artistic convention, Harris embodies the spirit of modern creativity, exemplifying the vibrancy, diversity, and continual evolution that characterizes the world of art.