Lara Dann, “Semi-Sweet”
July 16th – August 14th, 2022
Haven Gallery is pleased to present South Carolina artist Lara Dann, for her first solo exhibition, entitled “Semi-Sweet” at the gallery. “Semi-Sweet” features seven new paintings concentrating on her female sitters in beautiful, strong and confident poses. Surrounded by delicate lace, flowers and fauna, Dann’s work depicts the dualities that are evident in life, emotion and the notion that not everything is what it seems. Such as the flowers that surround them, Dann’s female subjects lure you in with their beauty, vivid colors and grace. Many are shrouded in lace or muslin, masquerading innocence, yet what lies beneath is strength and valor. Like their floral accompaniments, Dann’s women express confidence and resilience and the ability to take on the odds. “Semi-Sweet” is a representation of these individuals while simultaneously conveying the emotional representation and journeys of love and growth. Love and personal development are tumultuous with highs and lows. Dann’s portraits reflect the delicate, dualistic relationship between love and heartbreak, showing it can be beautiful, complex, and ruining. “This series ‘Semi-Sweet’ is a somewhat playful expression of love and heartbreak. On it’s surface, my attempt is to organize this concept in a contemporary way with hints of beauty, design and feminine power, while it’s deeper meaning is a connection with life and death. Renewal and transformation.” Blended seamlessly within the female subjects, lies shadows of skeletons, representing the works deeper meaning: the connection between life and death and how love, above all else, takes up the space in-between. Dann’s works shows the strength and persistence of women. Her pieces contain different textures and layers, such as the visible Birchwood medium, the use of lace barriers and the underlying pattern of vintage wallpaper to represent the multifaceted nature of human beings and the many layers of their emotions and experiences. About Lara Dann: Lara’s childhood was spent in southern and northern California, moving from city to city, where she briefly resided in Vermont and Washington state. Due to all the traveling and moving, she went to many schools before finishing in western New York state. After graduating high school, she enrolled in commercial design classes for a year at a privately owned art school. Her career moved forward quickly from there beginning a six year journey in graphic design. During the past 4 years, she has redirected her attention to the fine arts. She now exhibits both nationally and internationally. Artist Statement: “The Venus fly trap gives off a scent that lures the fly. A sweet and devastating nectar. The “bleeding heart” is just a flower, yet it’s form hints of something more emotive. This series ‘Semi-Sweet’ is a somewhat playful expression of love and heartbreak. On it’s surface, my attempt is to organize this concept in a contemporary way with hints of beauty, design and feminine power, while it’s deeper meaning is a connection with life and death. Renewal and transformation. A reflection back upon my own timeline. Life isn’t about entering every decision we make or every path we take with a sense of safety. It’s risk. It’s challenge. It’s heartache. But the other side of that is rewarding and fulfilling. It is beautiful. it is Semi-Sweet.” – Lara Dann
