Emerging artist Molly Bounds has debut her newest show entitled, “The Light That Loses, The Night That Wins,” at Maspeth’s Mrs. Gallery. On stark display until April 16th, the exhibition is a riveting exploration of human narratives and nocturnal landscapes manifested through Bounds’ unique style.
Born and raised in Colorado and now a resident of Los Angeles, Molly Bounds presents her personal experiences and observance through her art. Essentially self-taught, her distinct approach towards light and dark, the daily and the nightly, represents these explorations in unnamed narratives and partially concealed characters.
“The Light That Loses, The Night That Wins” is perhaps the clearest demonstration of her work’s core themes. Its meticulously detailed portrayals spread over multiple layerings, settings, and perspectives. The exhibition sees unassuming locales, like corner stores and living rooms, become stages for introspection and interpretation.
Visitors have described the exhibit as featuring “deeply layered and emotive scenes,” composed with subtlety and substance. Bounds’ technique involves using fluid, twisting acrylics to create a series of fluctuating images that seem to shift and change as they are observed – mirror images of reality that deceptively elude a clear grasp.
The exhibition features 11 new works from Bounds. Each piece draws the viewer into an ethereal, dreamlike representation of reality, riddled with shadows that depict night as a revealing entity. The ‘night’ in her scenes becomes a veil that simultaneously conceals and unveils the narratives embedded within the familiar yet enigmatic.
Commenting on the exhibition online, cultural critic Abigail Kane, lauded Bounds for her “fierce translation of the beautifully mundane into the artistically profound.” This sentiment rings true as visitors navigate through the gallery, immersed in the play of light and dark hosted within Bounds’ characters and settings.
In one of her pieces titled “Late Return,” a female figure is seen returning home, with the ‘light’ slipping away in the shadows, creating an intriguing balance between disclosure and mystery. Additionally, “Needless Worry,” another remarkable piece, explores how nightfall can stir unfounded anxieties. The scene unveils an ordinary individual getting entangled in a web of fetching groceries, under the calm yet ominous moonlight.
Beyond its compelling visuals and evocative narratives, Bounds’ exhibition offers an exploration of universal human experiences, such as solitude, anticipation, fear, and the quest for meaningful connections. Her potent use of symbolic representations propels these experiences into the subconscious of the viewer, engendering a profound emotional response.
The show has garnered attention from art enthusiasts and ordinary viewers alike since its online preview. It’s not merely the technical proficiency that holds the audience captive but also Molly Bounds’ ability to infuse common life scenes with a sense of brooding poetic beauty.
The “The Light That Loses, The Night That Wins” exhibition attests to Bounds’ growing reputation as an artist with an uncanny ability to forge compelling stories out of fleeting moments. This exhibition allows Molly Bounds to showcase not only her adeptness with mediums and colors but also her perspicacity in expressing subtle emotions and depicting commonplace scenes in unusual nightlights.
In uncertain times, art such as Molly Bounds’ transcends boundaries and audiences. It welcomes all to glimpse the artist’s perception of the world, providing a fascinating interpretation of the human experience. These artworks serve as gentle but profound reminders of the thin line dividing the mundane from the extraordinary—the ordinary from the profound.
“The Light That Loses, The Night That Wins” is available for both in-person viewing and online for those unable to travel during these challenging times. This exhibition is a testimony to Bounds’ captivating style, making her a rising star that the art community should definitely keep an eye on. Mrs. gallery is located at 60-40 56 Dr, Maspeth, NY 11378.
Original Source: https://www.juxtapoz.com/news/painting/molly-bounds-the-light-that-loses-the-night-that-wins-mrs-gallery-maspeth-ny/
