PRINTArt Review: "Midsummer Night's Dream Land"
Renee Brochu's exhibit at Living Canvas explores dreams
ROBERT SWAIN
"Hillbilly's Ship" from Renee Brochu's exhibit, “Midsummer Night’s Dream Land."
June 28, 2012 | 12:00 a.m. CST
Renee Brochu’s dreams come alive on the walls of Living Canvas.
Her exhibit, “Midsummer Night’s Dream Land,” gives visitors a glimpse into her subconscious desires as well as some of her fears. More than 20 pieces of seemingly incohesive works of art hang on the gallery walls. Each piece shows Brochu’s talent and imagination through the mixed media she uses. For example, she has pieces with watercolor pencil, ink and acrylics. Her works contrast sharply and oscillate between soft sketches and busy prints.
When: Through July 15
Where: Living Canvas
Cost: Free
Online: tattoocolumbia.com
Call: 573-442-8287
"Joes Semi Blind" from Renee Brochu's exhibit “Midsummer Night’s Dream Land.”
"Intertwined" from Renee Brochu's exhibit “Midsummer Night’s Dream Land.”
"Colorless Stroll" from Renee Brochu's exhibit “Midsummer Night’s Dream Land.”
“Frozen Corpse of Trees” is a scene that almost seems to be etched onto glass but is actually made of acrylic paint. Although the title implies a frightening scene, the trees seem peaceful. Because of this, a corpse is not the first thing that comes to mind when looking at this piece. However, it leaves more questions to be answered and dreams to be explored by allowing the viewer to come up with his or her own explanation of what each piece means.
Another piece in Brochu’s collection, “Moonlit Dreams,” is the perfect mixed bag of themes people dream about. In this piece, the viewer journeys deeper into Brochu’s dreams revealed in a black-and-white ink drawing. The simplicity of the materials is juxtaposed against the complexity of the piece’s message. Hidden cityscapes are next to tiny flowers that grow above islands in paradise. The images blend together, so it’s not clear where one ends and the other begins. The process of creation seems to have stemmed from the actual process of dreaming.
Brochu says the pieces are inspired by her dreams in the time since she moved to Missouri and homesickness for her hometown in New Hampshire. She has been working on this collection for the past six to eight years.
Brochu’s exhibit expresses both complex insights into the subconscious and simple dreams, such as a kiss between two lovers.
