Slade Graves
"Slade Graves masterfully distills the human essence of traditional religious iconography into memorable images. In Last Supper (1997), she portrays Christ's final meal with his disciples as a sweeping, theatrical tableau, depicting it on a 16-foot-wide cruciform support. The figures are muscular, the space is flat, and the composition is crowded. A checkered floor of black, white, red, and blue contrasts with diamond-pattern leggings worn by the figure of Judas, who precariously sits atop a ball.
"Graves balances the flatness of the figurative elements with a richly articulated surface. Paint is scratched and embossed with subtle patterning. An inner border of punched-tin lettering carries biblical phrases, offering an intriguing allusion to the retablos found in Spanish churches of the American Southwest, where Graves lives.
"Graves' style is an eclectic fusion of European modernisms (Chagall, Klee, Picasso) as well as Byzantine art and medieval stained glass. In this context, Graves has long explored mother-and -child imagery and the subject of the Holy Family. In Pieta No. 2 (1999), she expresses the maternal bond as a link between past and future. Rather than portray the mother of Christ in lamentation as she holds her son's dead body, Graves suggests a triumphant spirit, with Mary's serene face and massive physique expressing power more than pathos."
-Janice T. Paine, ARTnews, September 2001
The history of most artists includes "periods", pockets of productivity in certain areas of concern, which are the result of technical, intellectual and spiritual growth. Sometimes, very early works bear scant resemblance to later works. Slade is a developing artist as well as an emerging artist, and thus her work continues to grow as she spreads her wings and doesn't hesitate to explore new concepts. It is a sign of vitality, of excitement, of a continuity of maturity.
Powerful spiritual vibrations emanate from the paintings and drawings of the versatile visions of Slade, a juried member of NAWA and since 1991 the recipient of numerous awards. The obvious Oriental influence on her superb classical technique makes for sophisticated compositions of instantly recognizable and universally valued themes. Her subtle and capricious use of perspective, thoughtful positioning of visual elements and stark color contrasts define her artistry.
Rarely are universal truths so crisply defined as in Slade's powerful but insightful and provocative renditions of recognizable themes. The obvious first reactions are followed constantly by increasingly complex inner observations as her works are lived with, viewed and re-viewed, absorbed. Slade's amazing versatility is always astonishing and rewarding.
Slade's subtle melding of color and perspective is alluring and gratifying, a veritable visceral pleasure as the eye travels through the maze of delicate lines to be rewarded with feelings of enveloping warmth, eminent satisfaction and, simultaneously, stability and courage.
Education & Affiliations:
- B.F.A. Arizona State University- Tempe, Arizona
- Juried Member- National Association of Women's Artists- New York, NY
- Juried Member- Arizona Watercolor Association- Phoenix, AZ
Recent Galleries:
- Wildmeyer Gallery- Scottsdale, AZ
- Circa Now Gallery- Houston, TX
- Blue Heron Gallery- Bellingham, WA
- Smith-Kroll Gallery- Prescott, AZ
- R.A. Gallery- Chicago, IL
- Raku Gallery- Jerome, AZ
- Artistically Bent- Columbus, OH
Collections:
Commissions:
- Fountain Villa Suites- (2) 8" x 10" murals- Prescott, AZ
- Farmer's Market- 12" x 20" mural- Prescott, AZ
Awards & Shows:
- 1997 Wildemeyer Gallery- One Woman Show- Scottsdale, AZ
- 1997 ArtExpo New York- New York, NY
- 1996 ArtExpo New York- New York, NY
- 1995 Kevin Casey Gallery- One Woman Show- Phoenix, AZ
- 1994 Sloane Gallery- One Woman Show- Scottsdale, AZ
- 1993 Curator- Figurative Show Prescott Fine Arts Assoc.- Prescott, AZ
- 1993 Ruffin Memorial Art Show- 1st place prints, 2nd place painting, Phoenix, AZ
- 1992 Arizona Aqueous- Juried show 1st place watercolor
- 1991 Aqueous- George Welch Memorial Award- Bowling Green, KY
Figurative Instructor:
- Yavapai College 1990-1993
- Prescott College 1993-1994
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