The work of Pae White (°1963, Pasadena, ca, usa) lies at the crossroads between art, design and architecture. The artist explores the visual possibilities of shape, colour and space. In her first exhibition at the gallery, she mixes these elements in installations that bear all the hallmarks of her personality and ingenuity.
Her work includes a broad spectrum of objects: from animal-shaped barbecues, paper clocks and mobiles to magazine adverts and invitations from other artists. Because her work takes so many forms, it comes across as light and playful, but at the same time, it is also difficult for the spectator to penetrate. Yet it contains intriguing layers of meaning. The artist manages to radically transform objects by combining different visual strategies. Functional objects, graphical patterns, natural or mobile elements are incorporated into a new, attractive whole. The observer is approached indirectly because meaning is distributed across the form, colour and material of the objects.
The installations by Pae White at the gallery confront the spectator with a new contemporary vision of art. The artist departs from a natural theme, to which she gives form via unusual materials such as newsprint or a high definition video projection. The result is not only poetic, but also reflects a contemporary, social landscape. On the one hand, White builds upon modern artistic strategies such as form, space, and the combination of art and life. On the other, her art functions at a seductive and associative level, communicating strongly with the onlooker. Her objects and installations are not only appealing; they also demonstrate a relationship with the spectator by suggesting a collective imagination, which we all share.
Pae White’s work is not only aimed at the production of objects, but also symbolizes a relationship with the world. In this sense, it brings a new reading of modernism and paints a picture of the contemporary condition. Her art creates an associative, nomadic network that reflects the contemporary social space.
The work of Pae White is shown on a regular basis in the United States and Europe. White recently held exhibitions at the Scottsdale Museum of Modern Art, Scottsdale (2008), the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Washington (2007) and the UCLA Hammer Museum, Los Angeles (2004). In 2007, the artist participated at Skulptur Projekte Münster 07. White has been invited to participate at the Venice Biennial 2009.
