A solo exhibition at Gallery 825, Los Angeles, CA — September 23 to October 28, 2023
Karen Hochman Brown created the work in Cloud Renewal during a period of sheltering in place in response to the need for safety during the COVID-19 pandemic. With plans for the foreseeable future canceled, the artist sought solace in the world of photography. An extensive collection of images, captured during what once felt like normal life, was used to reconnect with the outside world.
As a photography-based artist, Hochman Brown approaches her craft with precision and intent. The passion lies in chronicling some of nature’s most captivating elements, with a particular focus on flowers, waves, and clouds. Whether sourced from remote journeys or familiar locales, these images serve as pivotal points in her portfolio, emphasizing a commitment to elevating everyday natural wonders into art forms. This endeavor challenges observers to perceive the world through a more discerning lens. The artist employs distortion, reflection, and merging techniques on these images, resulting in the creation of otherworldly vistas. Viewers are invited to join the artist in an altered reality of beauty and symmetry.
The initial pieces created were expansive explorations of an unbounded sky adorned with flowers. The titles of these pieces indicate the locations where the cloud photographs were taken, with the flowers sourced from Hochman Brown’s own garden. These artworks are presented as lustrous face-mounted acrylic prints—deep and shiny, yet separated from the viewer behind a protective layer.
“Dusk on Honolua Bay With Roses” is one such work, vibrating with pink and gold shades against sections of blue sky, and darker cloud arising like streams of smoky incense at the center top of the work.
Her “Twilight in Ojai with Magnolia” is equally evocative, but here, there is less of the recognizable burnished gold sunset, which has instead become like glowing orbs, or a mysterious lamp suspended within a mauve-toned, gentle, near-evening sky. “Sunset in Tel Aviv With Orchid” transforms the flowers depicted to white shadowy filaments of the blossoms, making them dance together like faeries or angels.
Soar Through a Cloud Renewal with Karen Hochman Brown, excerpt
By Genie Davis
To further delve into a world that couldn’t be physically visited, the artist embarked on the creation of a mixed media series titled “In the Bubble.” Once more, the chosen subject matter was clouds from past travels. This project represented an opportunity for experimentation, particularly in mastering the techniques of resin. The glossy coverings and constructed bubble forms both encapsulate and separate the subject, adding depth to the exploration.
Making a deeper dive into a world she could not then visit physically, she created the mixed media series “In the Bubble,” once again focusing on clouds viewed on her travels in the past. These smaller works allowed Hochman Brown to experiment in medium, using resin to create smaller works that are as experimental and experiential in technique as they are in image.
At 10 x 10 x 2 [inches], these works are like small jewels, or their own permanent bubbles of light and magic cloud. There is the silvery blue of “In the Bubble Maui,” the seashell-like shape of “In the Bubble Galapagos, the lively orange, blue, and white mixed with gold of “In the Bubble Mexican Riviera.” She captures a vivid sense of place within each work, in her shapes, colors, and patterns. For example, her “In the Bubble Home” provides a richly recognizable orange, pink and blue sky – the color of fall sunsets over Los Angeles.
Soar Through a Cloud Renewal with Karen Hochman Brown, excerpt
By Genie Davis
“In late 2020, my husband arranged for us to spend the winter in Kauai, Hawaii. Despite the continued uncertainties of life, this change brought a sense of grounding, inspiring further works. I brought my cloud panoramas down to where the sky meets the ocean and earth. I reimagined sunsets and sunrises, anchoring them to the horizon line, incorporating elements of local flowers. Reflective of the security on the island, I made the choice to present these works on wood panels and fabric tapestries, aligning them more harmoniously with the island’s relaxed ambiance.” – Karen Hochman Brown
Along with the lush dark green palms and island shrubbery in “Bananas,” there are radiant pink, white and gold flowers with banana-like curves emanating from the vivid golden yellows of their stamens, a fully realized flower resting within a green globe sitting on the heart of the island which reflects downward into a glassy sea.
“Parting” provides the viewer with three golden orbs, a dark gold and inky colored seat which wraps around these balls, clearly the last of a glorious sunset what has set fire to the clouds and charred the ocean with its light. “Loopy” is a meditative, transfixing image in which swirls of blue sea form ribbons and arcs around a luminous pink, mandala-like center. “Welcome” shapes a vivid near-chartreuse green and deep rose watery portal – with hints of orange flaming wave – around a rocky shore line and a cloud dotted, still glowing sky. In the middle of this portal rises a full moon. “Breathe” offers a shape within a rectangular shape, reminiscent of a pillow. On this restful place foamy ocean spray rises; the sky and clouds have a lighter pink cast than Hochman Brown’s fiery sunsets.
Soar Through a Cloud Renewal with Karen Hochman Brown, excerpt
By Genie Davis
Also a part of the gallery exhibition are two looping videos, each exuding magic and mysticism. Both were inspired by her residency in Kauai as well. “Meditation” gives us a stunning seascape with soothing ocean waves crashing to shore, and the only sound is that of the sea itself. In “Respiration,” the ocean is contained with a portal shape, rising and falling white and blue and darker midnight colored waves flow like a perfect breath, while behind it, a sensuous, sinuous colorful background unfolds. The soundtrack is both delicately musical and the sound of waves.
Soar Through a Cloud Renewal with Karen Hochman Brown, excerpt
By Genie Davis
Heartfelt thanks to LA Art Documents for capturing the show and Robert Nance for creating an original score for their documentation. Mr. Nance also played live at Gallery 825, creating an “immersive sonic cocoon” (pictured top of page in the carousel).