Intimacy

Exhibition Review
Intimacy
By Zoe Bray

            The exhibit Intimacy, which was featured in the Sheppard Gallery, showcases portraits from a variety of people in the artist’s life. The word intimacy according to the artist, can take on many forms such as physical, emotional, intellectual, and experiential. However it happens, it is about connection and sincerity. Zoe Bray is also an anthropologist. Anthropology is the study of cultures and practices. Bray is of a Basque descent. The Basque heritage has a strong connection to family and maintains strong connections and sincerity. There is also a large Basque community in Nevada, which has influenced areas such as art, literature, and commerce. Even with these strong roots in Nevada, many Basque’s feel an emotional connection with the homeland. Intimacy and the works of Bray go hand in hand.

            The pieces showcased in this gallery consisted of all oil paintings on canvas presentation. This is how most people view art. By just looking at paintings or sculptures in a gallery, the story of how the piece was created or evolved over time is lost. The artist has found a way to show this progression using technology. Some feel that technology has no place in traditional art, but Bray has used it to her advantage with the theme intimacy. In the gallery, there is a video that shows her progression of the works. From the starting point to the finished product, you can see her physical and emotional connection to her work. As a patron, you have a more experiential presentation by the artist. This allows for a better experience by the viewer. By using this technique, the themes of intimacy can be better experienced.

            The technique of piece video timeline was used effectively in the piece Sketch of Nestor Basterretxea. The piece is an oil painting of Nestor Basterretxea in portrait form. I felt more intimacy for this piece compared to others because of the video presentation. The video starts with Bray and Basterretxea visiting. During this, Bray is setting up her supplies preparing to paint. This video then shows the first brushstroke of the piece. It then evolves to the finished product. During this, the two are visiting and the camera is rotating between Bray’s workstation and a sitting Basterretxea. The combination of the conversation audio and visual progression make the viewers feel like they are with Bray and Basterretxea during the painting session. This use of technology allows for a greater level of intimacy to be felt.

            The theme of intimacy is extremely visible in the piece Self-portrait in Reno. In the piece, Bray is painting in one area of the room while her boyfriend is working on his computer at the table in the room. Even though the two are not speaking, there is a level of intimacy present in the painting. The feeling of physical and emotional contact of just being in the same room with someone you love is evident. This piece shows that you don’t have to be directly communicating with someone to feel a connection. 

            Many of the pieces in the display are of other Basques. Bray has combined her heritage’s desire for connection with her art. In all of her pieces, you see the person as they are. The theme is used to its full extent and with a variety of techniques. Intimacy can come in many forms. All of them are shown in this exhibit.