pre-raphaelite – K. M. Alexander

May 31, 2018

The Poisoned Garden Pt. 2

Way back in February, I wrote a post about the debut of Kari-Lise’s latest series, The Poisoned Garden. Well, I am excited to share that the next installment will premiere Saturday in Melbourne, Australia as a part of Beinart Gallery’s upcoming group exhibition: Dreamer, Lover, Maker, Fighter.

I love this series, and I’ve enjoyed watching her create each piece. There is a narrative richness in The Poisoned Garden that I find quite appealing. Each piece carries a shadowed sense of wonder tinged with beautiful melancholy. They’re haunting. I’ve included a few of my favorites in this post, but I’d encourage you to click here and check out the full show. It’s amazing.

Kari-Lise Alexander — "Picking The Perfect Poison #2" — Kari-Lise Alexander — “Picking The Perfect Poison #2” in the studio

Kari-Lise Alexander — 'When You Bite The One You Love" Detail [Left] In the Studio [Right] — Kari-Lise Alexander — ‘When You Bite The One You Love” [Left] Detail [Right] in the studio

Kari-Lise Alexander — "Collection" — Kari-Lise Alexander — “Collection” oil and graphic on paper, 8″x10″

Unfortunately, neither of us will be in Melbourne for the opening this weekend, but if you live nearby, you should swing by and check out the work in person. There’s a luminous quality that is impossible to communicate via the screen. The opening is Saturday night, June 2nd, from 6pm–9pm and the show will be on display through June 24th. Contact the gallery with inquiries about any particular piece.

Kari-Lise is planning a print release as well. If you’re interested, I recommend you sign up for her newsletter. It’s an excellent way to stay up to date on what she’s doing.

🎬 Overlooked Details

If you haven’t taken the time, make sure to watch the short documentary about Kari-Lise’s work: Overlooked Details, An Artist’s Journey, directed, edited, and filmed by Scott R. Wilson. (It partially documents her work on Inflorescence.) It’s fifteen minutes long and very much worth your time. It’s a raw, heartfelt, and vulnerable glimpse into her journey. I’ve embedded it below, and I recommend watching it full screen. You can view the full credits here.

🖼 Previous Work

Interested in seeing Kari-Lise’s previous shows? I’ve written about them before, and I’d encourage you to check them out, there is some excellent work, but it’s also amazing to document her growth as an artist:

✨🎨✨

February 13, 2018

The Poisoned Garden

This weekend, Kari-Lise and I will head to Portland, Oregon for the opening of VEILS at Talon Gallery where Kari-Lise will be debuting the first five pieces from her 2018 series, The Poisoned Garden. The show opens on Saturday, February 17th, and we’ll both be in attendance. If you live in Portland or the surrounding area come on by and say hello. We’d love to see you. The opening reception is from 6pm–9pm. The exhibition will be on display through March 12th, 2017, and it is both free and open to the public.

I’m so stoked this is finally reaching the public. There is a narrative aspect to The Poisoned Garden that really draws me in as a storyteller, and the series is shaping up to be a favorite. Kari-Lise is really throwing herself into the work, and it shows. Afterwards, you’ll be able to view all the pieces at Talon Gallery’s website, feel free to contact the gallery directly to inquire about any particular piece. I’m excited the initial debut of The Poisoned Garden is finally seeing the light of day.

Kari-Lise Alexander — “The Find” (Detail)

Kari-Lise Alexander [Left] “Summer Dream” 10″x10″, Oil on Panel [Right] “Alone Amongst the Irises” in the studio — Kari-Lise Alexander — [Left] “Summer Dream” 10″x10″, Oil on Panel [Right] “Alone Amongst the Irises” in the studio

There are a few more pieces in this set that I’m not previewing here. To see them you’ll need to subscribe to Kari-Lise’s newsletter or come to the show. A collector’s preview is coming later this week, it’s easy to sign up: click here to subscribe.

🎬 Overlooked Details

🖼 Previous Work

See you Saturday, Portland!

✨🎨✨

September 10, 2015

A Lovelorn Theft

This weekend Kari-Lise and I are heading down to sunny San Francisco to attend the opening of her latest series: A Lovelorn Theft, at Modern Eden Gallery. The show opens on Saturday, September 12th, and we’ll both be there. If you live in the area come on by and say hello. The opening reception is from 6pm–9pm. The exhibition will be on display through October 3, 2015, and it is both free and open to the public.

Kari-Lise Alexander's "The Bathing Silver Swan" in the studio — Kari-Lise Alexander’s “The Bathing Silver Swan” in the studio

I absolutely love this series. A Lovelorn Theft was inspired by the swan maidens and selkies of Nordic folklore. Each piece places the viewer in the intimate role of a lovelorn voyeur, who spies these beautiful creatures for the first time. The work itself is stunning combining the styles of the Pre-Raphaelite movement with new contemporary and pop surrealism. It’s been fascinating to watch Kari-Lise develop this series over the last year, I’m so excited the public is now getting a chance to see them together. In my opinion, it’s her best work yet.

Like her last show, Inflorescence, this series has also been garnering a lot of great press all over the internet. Kari-Lise was once again featured on High Fructose, and This Isn’t Happiness. For those interested, she was also interviewed by Modern Eden, she talks about her work, her inspirations, and you can see a picture of our two bunnies cuddling.

You can see the full show on Modern Eden’s website after it opens, or email Kim at Modern Eden and request a collectors preview. The links above also has a majority of the work. I’ve posted a few of my favorites below. Which is your favorite?