“Of Light And The Absence Of”
2023
New York Chapter
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Step into the transcendent realm of Grason Ratowsky’s latest singular style exhibit, “Of Light and the Absence Of,” in East Hampton under the thoughtful curation of Alexander DiJulio. This exhibition marks the thrilling culmination of the concept umbrella “In Each of Us There Are Many,” where Ratowsky weaves realizations to create an exciting new body of work specific to this location. A mesmerizing exploration of expressionism awaits, pushing beyond the confines of the physical and metaphysical. Ratowsky’s paintings burst with life, emanating an electric energy that draws viewers into a captivating dance of vivid colors and raw emotions.
Within this vibrant tapestry, Ratowsky’s artistic movements go beyond mere subject representation; they beckon us to feel the very essence of light and its absence. With each brushstroke, Ratowsky skillfully guides our emotions, allowing us to immerse ourselves in the interplay of brightness and shadow. Confident bursts of color reveal a profound truth—the shadows that haunt our inner selves are not entities themselves; instead, they arise from the lack of illumination. Amidst bold splashes of luminous pigments cascading across the canvas like beacons of hope, there exist areas of depth and obscurity—the shades that linger at the fringes of the light’s embrace.
As we navigate “Of Light and the Absence Of,” a poignant realization takes hold—the core of our being transcends mere luminance; it resides in the delicate balance of both radiant light and mysterious shadows. Ratowsky’s paintings serve as a testament to the beauty found in this interplay, unveiling the profound depth and complexity of the human experience. Embracing this delicate balance allows us to embark on a journey of emotional exploration, where moments of joy intertwine harmoniously with contemplative obscurity. The exhibition becomes a reminder of the transformative power of experiencing the artworks on an emotional level, seeking harmony within our souls, and celebrating the interplay of light and darkness that lies within us. Ratowsky’s singular style, which invites us to feel within the works rather than merely cognitively identifying the subject matter, summons us to embrace our multifaceted nature, acknowledging that it is in the union of all our elements that we truly discover the fullness of our existence.
About Grason Ratowsky
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Grason Ratowsky (American, b. 1985) is a visual artist working across many different disciplines including painting, sculpture, design and functional art. Ratowsky grew up in the United States, Costa Rica and Spain and studied fine art with his artist father Ian Ratowsky from an early age. Today, Ratowsky lives in between the island of Mallorca, Spain and New York City. Inspired by vast experiences, interconnectivity and idiosyncratic forms, Ratowsky’s expressionist approach showcases a uniquely balanced union of energetic brushwork, fragmented structure and deep knowledge of composition and color psychology. This combination ultimately deconstructs space and morphs the essence of the subconscious into visual tangible works of fine art. His works blend the lines between the movement of expressionism with abstract contorted figuration, ultimately creating a subject matter in a singular signature style. Ratowsky’s works hold a steadfast place in esteemed global collections, underscoring his role as an artist of solid resonance.
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“My works are physical representations of the extruded subconscious. Fragments of memories, experiences and imagination come forth to compile uniquely schematic arrangements that invite the viewer to move into a space of speculation. Rooted in expressionism, the process involves a surge of wild strokes to a given surface with little end intention in mind. Once the vision begins to reveal itself, steps of deduction and abstraction ensue to finally highlight and exemplify form and figure.” “In this way, I do not hold a definite intention to paint objectively; I paint what lies in between. I paint the writing between the lines. When a figurative object placed in a scene is brought to life in my paintings, it is not the figure itself that I am translating but the emotion it evokes. I highlight the soul of the scene rather than the universal comprehension of it. Merging the lines between expressionism with surrealism and abstract figuration help me rearrange the usage of output to identify a hidden meaning. An unforeseen truth is revealed to the viewer in which they’re able to weave in their own personal emotional value and story.”
-Grason Ratowsky
