Sara Anstis invites you into an enchanting world where pastel hues transform art historical and mythical references. Her figures engage in surreal activities—one seems swallowed by a bookcase while another nests in a green sleeping bag under a tent. Through this unique lens, she reconstructs these scenes, emerging them from a rich tapestry of stories, nursery rhymes, and timeless symbols.
Anstis Transforms Art with Pastels
Anstis’ solo exhibition, Pastels, at Olney Gleason, explores this intriguing blend. Her palette has recently shifted to muted, autumnal tones, with references to medieval and Renaissance art. This transition contrasts her earlier, vibrant works with their glowing qualities, as she redefines her artistic narrative.
Explore how Nosheen Iqbal crafts cultural narratives through intricate compositions, echoing Anstis’ use of symbolism and narrative exploration.
The painting “The Horse Rider” draws inspiration from the stoic, three-quarter profiles found in works by Fra Angelico and Hans Memling. Meanwhile, “The Painter” mirrors the medieval tradition of venerating saints, depicting women reverently regarding a female artist and her drawing. Here, she reimagines how we view the interplay of artist and audience.
Another work nods to Leonardo da Vinci’s “Lady with an Ermine,” valuing women’s diverse talents, including motherhood. The theme connects to German artist Paula Modersohn-Becker’s “Self-Portrait at 6th Wedding Anniversary,” as she reinterprets these historical interactions.
Pastels serve as both symbolic and practical tools for Anstis. They express the hazy borders of dreams and folklore. The piece “Three heads in a bed” evokes the nursery rhyme “Ten in the Bed,” highlighting playful yet profound themes while illustrating how she transforms childhood narratives.
Anstis’ enduring fascination with mythology and subjective experience materializes in her character-driven, symbolic spaces. Some of Anstis’ works conform to portrait norms, while others delve into mysterious, story-like settings. “The Milkman” features disembodied arms holding a small dog around a woman’s shoulders, and “Lachrymatories” shows a woman among tiny vials, recalling ancient tears and mysteries—it’s as if each tale is reshaped anew.
Pastels infuse Anstis’ work with an intimate touch, charging each scene with introspective intensity. The women she portrays connect deeply with their environments—be it through reading, painting, or horseback riding. These scenes evoke an air of veneration, bound in the absurd and dreamlike, emphasizing how she redefines traditional narratives.
Pastels runs through October 24 in New York City. Discover more on her social platforms.
Source: thisiscolossal.com
Frequently asked questions
What themes are in Sara Anstis’ exhibition?
Sara Anstis’ exhibition explores themes of art historical and mythical references, surreal activities, and the transformation of Renaissance icons using pastel hues.
Where is Sara Anstis’ solo exhibition being held?
Sara Anstis’ solo exhibition is being held at Olney Gleason in New York City.
How does Sara Anstis use pastels in her work?
Sara Anstis uses pastels to express the hazy borders of dreams and folklore, and to infuse her work with an intimate touch that charges each scene with introspective intensity.