Karen Eberle-Smith's "Layered" at Next Gallery

LAYERED…Karen Eberle-Smith’s “Layered” is a captivating exploration of the qualities of handmade paper. The exhibition will debut at Next Gallery, located at 6501 W Colfax Ave, Lakewood, CO 80214.

The concept of layering is expressed through the thickness of a single material covering a surface. The intricate process of making paper involves deconstruction and reconstruction. The once-solid form is transformed into a liquid state, starting with plant material and breaking it down to the smallest fibers. Removing the water reconstitutes these fibers into a solid, resulting in a completely new creation.

Karen’s artistic process mirrors the transformation of paper. She consistently reduces elements to their basic form, then skillfully layers shape, form, color, and texture until she achieves the intended feeling. After a period of reflection, she often disassembles her creation and reassembles it, altering and tearing it until the desired emotional response is evoked. Ultimately, Karen aims to create work that resonates with viewers, inspiring meaningful emotions. While she often finds significance in her art, she intentionally maintains a level of ambiguity, allowing viewers to interpret and add their own layers of meaning to the work. In the end, Karen hopes to create work that has a mood and inspires a feeling in the viewer.