A solo exhibition of new works

Katherine Fraser, An Elaborate Fiction, 2020, oil on canvas, 32"h x 38"w. Courtesy of the artist.

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Paradigm Gallery is pleased to announce Alone Together, an exhibition of new oil on canvas works by Katherine Fraser, opening* on September 25 and remaining on view through October 17, 2020. Fraser works from a loosely autobiographical standpoint, initiating concepts from her own lived experiences and emotions. Alone Together, Fraser’s fourth solo exhibition at Paradigm, is her most vulnerable series of works to date. The incredibly personal show is a cathartic manifestation of Fraser’s journey to unpack her fraught relationship with her own creative process during a time of global unrest, and ultimately to rediscover joy in the physical act of painting.

Though the characters in Alone Together are fantastical, they are not beyond reality; they are tethered by human emotion and Fraser’s own personal mythology. Imagery of boats, water, and rain are all direct references to the artist’s childhood and a recurring cat is a metaphor for how Fraser views her own creativity, as something akin to nature, which can be harnessed but never controlled. The works in Alone Together were created while Fraser was in quarantine for the COVID-19 pandemic. Faced with a windfall of unlimited time to paint, the artist found herself questioning what meaning art could have for herself and others during such a difficult time. By ultimately relinquishing the burden of defending art’s purpose, and leaning into her own relationship to it, Fraser experienced newfound trust in the process, and a deeper satisfaction in the simultaneous act of creation and communication.

Working intuitively, Fraser will initially sketch the detailed and story-like works, but rarely does she have the entire composition planned out before she begins painting. While in process, Fraser takes her time to decide key narrative developments for her characters and by doing so, puts herself in a dialogue with the work; actively making decisions, but also allowing herself to quietly listen to what the paintings may need. The resulting works reverberate with a full range of complex, human emotion. From hope to despair to humor, grief, and love, viewers will be able to find pieces of themselves in Fraser’s works, reflected back to them in illuminating ways.

Fraser shows us that by being flexible and open, we can find moments of beauty, vulnerability, and harmony. In an historically uncertain time, Alone Together invites us all to be more present and empathetic towards ourselves and others.

*Due to COVID-19, Alone Together will be available for viewing by appointment only or on https://www.paradigmarts.org/ until further notice. These policies are dependent on the current policies of the CDC, WHO and the Governor and Mayor’s offices.

Paradigm Gallery’s number one priority is the safety and wellness of their visitors. For live updates on the exhibition and appointments, please visit the Paradigm website and socials. For any questions on Paradigm’s current policies, please email info@paradigm-gallery.com.

About Katherine Fraser
Katherine Fraser has been exhibited in galleries and museums throughout the United States. She is a graduate of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and of the University of Pennsylvania. As a student she received the Thomas Eakins Painting prize, the Cecelia Beaux Portrait prize, and the William Emlen Cresson Memorial Travel Award, among others. Since graduating in 2002, she has received awards including the Lucy Glick Award and the Victor Klein Family Award. Her work has been published in Studio Visit Magazine, Philadelphia Weekly, Die Blumen die Frauen, The Fertile Source, New American Paintings, The Southern Review, the Best of American Oil Painting, and more. Her work may be found in many permanent and private collections nationally and abroad.

About Paradigm Gallery
Paradigm Gallery + Studio® exhibits contemporary artwork from around the world with a focus on Philadelphia-based artists. Established February 2010, the gallery began as a project between co-founders and curators, Jason Chen and Sara McCorriston, as a space in which to create artwork, to exhibit the work of their peers, and to invite the members of the community to create and collect in a welcoming gallery setting. Now open 10 years, the gallery still aims to welcome all collectors, from first time to lifelong, and continues to support accessible work that welcomes a wide audience.

Location:
746 S 4th St
Philadelphia, PA 19147

Media Contact:
Lainya Magaña, A&O PR
347 395 4155
lainya@aopublic.com