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KIRKLAND COURIER
ARTS and ENTERTAINMENT SECTION
July 1, 2002
Kindler Seeks to Nourish' Through Her Art
By Peter Stekel
Kirkland's cutting-edge gallery, Atelier 31, features a new installation this month by artist and gallery owner Judith Kindler in a show entitled "Nourish."
"This is food for thought," says the artist, whose work is abstract and representational, colorful and plain. Yet each piece exhibits her unique view on art, of people, and how they interact.
"This exhibition is about food, flowers, and the concept of nourishment in our society," said Kindler. "It is the placement of food on the alter, the sustainer of life, the renewer, the sacrament, what at times must be the sacrifice, the symbol of good fortune and fertility."
Whether revealed through a giant 12-foot banana or an adolescent's pleasure of eating cupcakes, the paintings reveal own need for nourishment.
She said of her painting, "A Girl with Two Cupcakes" : "The experience of innocent heartfelt pleasure in eating sweets is considered in contrast to the guilt one suffers for such pleasure. This is easy to see in our society where sweets have become the forbidden fruits."
When considering the idea of food and nourishment and their relationship to art, Kindler said, "The thought of painting a body of work on the idea came on a day after a particularly wonderful meal. I started to reflect on the basic needs we have and our relationship with those things that nourish us."
It's easy to relate to the subject of food.
"Food represents our true good fortune and all those events surrounding meals compile our most cherished memories," said Kindler.
She also feels that people are connected deeply beyond the more prosaic needs of food. Kindler recalls, "In my 20's, I traveled extensively in India and to this day remain enthralled with their concept of food as sacrifice. The most core need must first be offered to a deity to be enjoyed and then becomes a sacrament that honors the temples of our body."
In India, Kindler learned that every aspect of eating and food preparation is sensual and an act of love.
"It's a ritual of giving first before receiving," she said, and always demonstrates the relationship between people, spirituality and God. "Even the enjoyment of flowers was only enjoyed after offering to God, guru or another."
In later years, Kindler observed the traditions of nourishment in Mexico, a land that revels in its emotional connection with food.
"Like a voyeur who is transformed into a lover, you cannot escape the seduction of the flavors that seem to emerge from the earth," she said. When my husband and I prepare for our annual trip to Zihuatenejo, we do not talk of what favorite activities we will do, only of our favorite foods at various local haunts."
In "Nourish," Kindler find that color plays a significant role from the point of view of impact and lushness.
Look at "Reclining Banana," which at 12-feet-by-4-feet is rather large.
"This painting referenced historical works of relining figures with all the suggestions of allurement," said Kindler.
Yet in contrast to the promise of fulfillment, there is also a sense of foreboding. The banana, on close inspection, has been disgraced by a graffiti of ice cream comes, cupcakes and miscellaneous objects. Emerging from under the background more cupcakes appear, and floating across the top of the painting are eight small attached paintings of cherries.
"This work, " Kindler admits, "is a rather tongue-in-cheek discussion of what we want vs. what we have."
Kindler sees that life in Seattle has important connections to all the aspects of food and nourishment. Whether it's searching for the freshest produce, or most beautiful flowers, or going to great lengths to find the perfect cheeses. "We become quite obsessive when we are shopping for guests."
"When we want to share food together with our friends or each other, are efforts are much greater than for ourselves alone."
It gets back to that ritual aspect that she first encountered in India. "Sharing or offering food is how we nourish each other amidst a society that is increasingly alienated."
Kindler will have more than 22 pieces in her new show.
"Each piece has its own story that somehow relates to our social values and ourselves and the question of nourishment," she said.
Judith kindler's work is represented by Atelier 31 in the Seattle area and Margo Jacobsen in Portland. "Nourishment" will be presented in two exhibitions: Part One at Atelier 31, during the month of July, and Part Two at Margo Jacobsen in September. 122 Central Way. 576-1477
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