Space HL is pleased to present the solo exhibition of Houston painter and multimedia artist Jasmine Zelaya. The new and ornamental body of work is informed by Jasmine’s experience as a woman of color. Through portraiture and the language of paint, this series explores themes of identity, beauty, gender and race through the ritual of ornamentation. Painterly and glittery surfaces abound, intersecting with textural swales of color. Myriads of luminous rhinestones speckle the landscape. Floral elements are utilized as graphic representations of not only a familial narrative, but also the contrast of the natural and artificial world. Lush flowers, vines and patterns emerge in order to immerse the subject and capture the viewer’s attention. The subjects are at once disengaged while others display various degrees of intimacy. The women are depicted as both virtuous and erotic vessels, and draws references from Bernini’s “The Ecstasy of St. Teresa.” The new collection of works catalogs an ongoing series as well and new direction from the artist and her unique style of portraiture. @spacehltx
