S E E K I N G N AT U R A L E T H E R E A L C O N D U I T S
REBECCA BENNETT
LESLIE KELL
E L E N A L I P KOWS K I
SPACES REBECCA BENNETT LESLIE KELL ELENA LIPKOWSKI
F E B R UA RY 3 – M A R C H 9, 2024
DOUGHERTY ARTS CENTER AUSTIN
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE EXHIBIT, ARTISTS, AND PURCHASE ARTWORK lesliekell.com/thin-spaces-2024
Where can we find that special place where heaven and earth draw closest together? It’s where our minds shed their burdens and open up, where the physical and the ethereal momentarily merge. In this space, time dissolves, leaving behind a luminous state of wonder and solace. Some embark on pilgrimages in search of this rarefied air, while others stumble upon it in the midst of everyday moments. The Celts referred to it as “thin spaces.” Here, three artists each employ their own unique artistic language to interpret these Thin Space experiences.
Rebecca Bennett, through the sensual qualities of oil, uses her alchemist skills to create layered abstractions that delve into the interplay of color, line, and texture. Her intention is to encourage viewers to interpret their own experience within the artwork rather than merely observing the work itself. She beckons them to mentally step into the piece, inviting reactions and reflections. In this way, she enhances the likelihood of an individual Thin Space moment for the viewer.
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Rebecca Bennett
Open II, Oil on canvas, 40 x 40
rebeccabennettartworks.com
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Misty Morn, Oil on canvas, 40 x 40
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Rebecca Bennett
Through the exploration of the thin spaces concept, I invite the audience to embark on a journey of introspection and contemplation. Each piece is a meditation on the transient nature of our surroundings and a celebration of the sublime. Through my art, my intention is to evoke a sense of wonder and grandeur to invite the viewer to reflect on a thin space experience of their own. In essence, my work for Thin Spaces is part of an ongoing exploration of the interconnectedness of all things, as visual meditation on the beauty found in the natural world that surrounds us.
— R. Bennett
rebeccabennettartworks.com
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Reflecting on Lake Lady Bird, Oil on canvas, 48h x 120w (121.5 with gap)
“those rare locales where the distance 8
Rebecca Bennett
between heaven and earth collapses” rebeccabennettartworks.com
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“an intrinsic, mystical spirit woven into the fabric of nature”
Resplendent II, Oil on canvas, 40 x 40
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Rebecca Bennett
Violet Sky, Oil on canvas, 36 x 36
rebeccabennettartworks.com
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Quiet Expanse, Oil on canvas, 36 x 36
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Rebecca Bennett
“the earth enfolds us and whispers to us its own story”
Western Light, Oil on canvas, 48 x 48
rebeccabennettartworks.com
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Leslie Kell employs her own
distinctive technique to create her unique visuals, blending elements of design and photography. She seamlessly weaves her photographs into the intricate spaces and patterns of her drawings, unraveling hidden depths within each composition. The resulting artwork pays homage to the natural world, celebrating its fragility and its profound connection to our collective human experience. Through her layering of light, movement, and sound, she visually evokes the essence of the Thin Space experience. 14
Leslie Kell
Possibilities Begin To Weave, Composite photography
lesliekell.com
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The Rare and Altered Light, Composite photography
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Leslie Kell
In realms where borders blend dreams and realities intertwine There is a pause in the cosmic dance and we hear the quiet in-between A place where the air is soft and sighs whisper secrets We seek the rare and altered light unfolding in unseen corners Our shimmering boundaries fade as the worlds softly meet The possibilities begin to weave showing us the way
— L. Kell
lesliekell.com
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“we long to dwell in this place we instinctively know is our true home”
Sighs Whisper Secrets, Composite photography
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Leslie Kell
Shimmering Boundaries Fade, Composite photography
lesliekell.com
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Where Worlds Softly Meet, Composite photography
“life is lived in the space between contradictions” 20
Leslie Kell
The Quiet In-Between, Composite photography
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“out of the shallow fray of life to rest in a centered awareness”
Realities Intertwine, Composite photography
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Leslie Kell
Unseen Corners, Composite photography
lesliekell.com
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Elena Lipkowski, in a
fusion of digital collage and hand-embroidery, explores the inherent dualities of the Thin Space encounter. Here, long vistas coexist with intimate details in a dialogue between digital and tactile, pixel and thread, technology and tradition. As the viewer becomes immersed in her art, she extends an invitation to open the heart to the personal Thin Spaces that are always around and within us all. And with this the viewer may discover a sense of peace and tranquility within the energy of her work.
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Elena Lipkowski
Perseverance (Swirl), Digital Collage + Hand Embroidery, 36 x 36
elenalipkowski.com
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Cloud Poetry, Digital Collage + Hand Embroidery, 80 x 60
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Elena Lipkowski
Thin Spaces abound around us, residing in ritual journey of daily routine We walk the dog along the path, noticing the colors of a single wildflower Our gaze drifts through the windshield, admiring the play of clouds and sky Sitting in the backyard, contemplating the beauty of the day On a weekend day hike, taking in the long vistas of the land This is the pilgrimage of our everyday, our own personal Thin Spaces
— E. Lipkowski
elenalipkowski.com
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Dallas Dawn (Yoga and Chai), Digital Collage + Hand Embroidery, 48 x 36
“fused together, knitted loosely”
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Elena Lipkowski
“we lose ourselves in the flow of the moment and be present to the unfolding”
July Morning (Early Bird), Digital Collage + Hand Embroidery, 48 x 36
elenalipkowski.com
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Sun Salutation (A Good Morning), Digital Collage + Hand Embroidery, 36 x 36
“Celts believed that time was not linear, but spiral” 30
Elena Lipkowski
Window Seat over the Bahamas, Digital Collage, 36 x 48
elenalipkowski.com
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Floating Islands (Dreamy Days), Digital Collage + Hand Embroidery, 18 x 18
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Elena Lipkowski
“thin spaces exist between the now and the not-yet.”
Marble Falls Meadow, Digital Collage, 40 x 30
elenalipkowski.com
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“fused together, knitted loosely”
Violet Sunburst (Loving Life), Digital Collage + Hand Embroidery, 18 x 18
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Elena Lipkowski
Sunflower (Facing the Sun), Digital Collage + Hand Embroidery, 18 x 18
elenalipkowski.com
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SPACES REBECCA BENNETT LESLIE KELL ELENA LIPKOWSKI “Thin Spaces” offers a unique perspective on how our relationships with the natural world can serve as a conduit to a deeper understanding of the ethereal, revealing the subtle magic when nature and spirit intertwine.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE EXHIBIT, ARTISTS, AND PURCHASE ARTWORK lesliekell.com/thin-spaces-2024