Varda Caivano’s artistic practice is a series of explorations into the possibilities of the medium of painting and the language of abstraction. In modest sizes, her paintings are the result of process of test, observation, contemplation, discovery and decision-making on choices and combinations of color, space, line, tone, texture and brushstroke, depth and density. This whole - both careful and spontaneous - journey becomes the content of each painting. While suggestions of landscapes and the traces of art history of the past century and a half can be observed, her works are “not painting of preconceived, preexisting images but simply of painting” and rarely and truly abstract painting, as a critic Barry Schwabsky remarks (Art Forum, May 2011, p297).
Caivano works on a number of paintings at the same time. As she builds on layers, pushes or pulls paint across the canvas, her thoughts and monologues are infused with the voices the paintings themselves acquire and conversations between themselves. One work completes over a period of time, as these moments of relationships grow. The relationship goes on and keeps unfolding in the exhibition space. In her solo exhibition with Tomio Koyama Gallery Kyoto in 2009, 5 paintings were installed on one wall in row, seemingly playing improvisational music together. Each viewing will encounter very fresh and intimate evocations, which is ultimate pleasure of experiencing art.
As a critic Barry Schwabsky observed after Caivano’s solo exhibition in 2011: “with exhibition Voice, Caivano has moved from being one of London’s most promising younger painters and established herself as one of the best painters, of any age, anywhere today” (Art Forum, May 2011, p297), she continues presenting internationally and is currently participating in The Encyclopedic Palace, 55th International Art Exhibition at the Venice Biennale. Titled “In the Studio”, this exhibition is the first one since the accomplishment, and will feature new paintings as well as works on paper which will be presented for the first time.
Courtesy of Tomio Koyama Gallery
