Karen Fiorito produced a 5 colour reduction linocut with
artists and technician Jo Lankester at Brush & Press Studio as artist in
residence for Month of Print, a national celebration of printmaking to
celebrate Australia hosting Impact 7, an international multi disciplinary printmaking
conference hosted by Monash University, Melbourne during September.
This reduction print is
based on the Hindu legend of the Goddess Durga:
A long time ago, the world
was in great peril. War and famine were widespread,
and demons ruled the earth. The great demon Mahisasura, who took the form of a
bull, was their leader. Despite all their efforts, none of the male gods could defeat the demon. The gods retreated from battle
and summoned a goddess, for it was foretold that only a woman could save the
world from such destruction. Out of a supernova of their collective
energies appeared the Goddess Durga with 10 arms
riding a tiger. She defeated Mahisasura and his army. Peace was restored and
the earth was healed. Although the people of earth begged her to stay and rule
them, she refused. "That is not my way," she said, "but if ever
you need me again, just think of me, and I will come."
"I have recreated this image of the
Goddess Durga and replaced her weapons with tools used in printmaking. She represents the creative, emotional,
compassionate and powerful aspects of the divine feminine. Durga is the
destroyer of ignorance and represents determination and will power, fierce
compassion and patience. I believe that
only through these qualities can we bring about peace on earth and to all of
its creatures. My hope is that through my art I can cultivate these aspects of
the divine feminine and inspire others to do the same, whether they be male or
female."
Karen received her Master’s in Fine Art in Printmaking from Arizona
State University and her Bachelor of Fin Art in Printmaking from the University
of Pennsylvania of the Arts.
For
the past 7 years, she has run Buddha Cat Press, a socially conscious printmaking
studio and publishing company. Most recently her work was showcased at the
J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles for the Pacific Standard Time project.
Her
work has also been featured in major publications such as Art in America, the
Huffington Post, the LA Weekly, and URB Magazine. She is the
recipient of a Puffin Foundation Grant in 2005 and a Change, Inc. Grant from
Robert Rauchenberg in 2004.
Neoteric print
Contemporary
printmaking artists, working with new ideas and processes pushing the
boundaries of traditional printmaking practice in a gallery setting. The
mediums used by these artists range from new variations on traditional intaglio
and relief techniques, to digital video projections.
Artists: Doug Arana, Aja Ausman, Kelly Bianchi, John Bradshaw, Laura Castell,
Michelle Hall, Donna Foley, Karen Fiorito, Sheree Kinlydise, Jo Lankester,
Kyana Pike, Gerald Soworka, Sandra Wright
Exhibition
Opening: 7pm Friday 30 September by Jo Lankester
Artist
Talk: 11am Sunday 9 October 2011
Exhibition
Duration 30 September 6 November 2011
Brush & Press Studio is possible
thanks to the Renew Townsville Initiative www.renewtownsville.com
Warmly,
Jo Lankester
P.S I challenge you to make your life a masterpiece. I challenge you to join the ranks of those people who live what they teach, who walk their talk.
Anthony Robbins
