Ingrid Baars: Donna
@ NYCH Gallery
2025 S Laflin St, Chicago, IL 60608
Opening Saturday, August 12th, from 6PM - 10PM
INGRID BAARS | DONNA
Opening: August 12, 2023 | 6-10 PM
Artist Statement:
Twelve years ago, I embarked on a series of works inspired by classical African art and Black women. There was no political or social agenda driving me at the time, my motivation was solely rooted in a profound fascination for the aesthetics of both.
African art, with its boundless artistic freedom in portraying the human form, served as a wellspring of inspiration for me. Additionally, the sculptural and distinctly pronounced features of Black women have a profound and alluring artistic charm that should be rightfully praised. As time progressed, a social element gradually interwove itself into my work when I began to receive positive and often emotionally charged responses from Black men and women.
I realized my work could have an impact, that through my art I could contribute something by emphasizing the beauty of Black women, especially in my series of Black Madonnas.
This series is harking back to the tradition of the Madonna/Virgin Mary, a central figure in religious and artistic traditions for centuries. She represents motherhood, divine grace, compassion, and sacrifice and offers solace and support to those who identify with her image. I depict her often with tears, tears as a means of underscoring the notion that vulnerability and the expression of emotions are not indicative of weakness but rather emblematic of strength, resilience, and the determination to overcome challenges.
My process is experimental and intuitive. I do not have a preconceived notion of what the outcome will be; molding, folding, building, combining, applying streaks and blobs of color… I’m curious to discover what will happen.
When I’m at work I become a part of it. I’m stepping into my work. I’m not fully aware of what I’m doing. I don’t have rules or methods. I’m observing and studying, I’m pushing myself to find an alchemy between me and my subject until I am my subject, until my soul melts into my art.
Ingrid Baars’ Biography:
Ingrid Baars graduated from the Willem de Kooning Academy of Art in Rotterdam and worked as an independent illustrator and photographer, showing her work in galleries from the year 2000 onwards.
In 2010 she halted all commercial activities and devoted herself to her artistic development.
She has been nominated multiple times and published in international design and art magazines since 2005.
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Tags: Chicago, Ingrid Baars, Ingrid Baars: Donna, Lower West Side, Nych Gallery
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