each one was heard: a visual memoir. chris cinque

“Don’t” - Chris Cinque

This show was made up of pictures of Chris in different ages and stages of her early years. She openly talks about the art in this show as a response to trauma in her childhood. Chris’s artist statement reveals that, as an artist, “her task is to create order in a disordered and disorienting life and world - working as an artist has always been my salvation, my solace, and my best form of communication”. To me this statement is as beautiful and true as her work.

The image above, “Don’t”, is the most emotinally revealing piece in the show, for me. The girl is drawn in full body, but the side of her body fades off the side of the page. The placement against the beam feels like she is seeking protection, but she knows there is no safe place to hide as a child. She feels so unsafe and vulnerable, and as a mother, I want to protect her.

The 2 pieces on the left are “Neith the Protector” & “Pink Dress”. Chris said these represent her protectors. I love how the girl in the pink dress does not have legs. It makes me feel like…she can fly. she is small. she is big. she can twist in and out of situations. she is powerful and she brings joy. kind of like a little girl superhero.

You can feel the immediacy of the artist’s movement on the paper. Chris said “I was moving fast”. Papers are crinkled…dirty smudges of fingerprints on the art.

When I googled the word “immediacy” for correct spelling, I also found the definition…and I was intrigued. definition: the quality of bringing one into direct and instant involvement with something, giving rise to a sense of urgency or excitement. I was even more convinced that this is a great descriptor for Chris’s emotional work.

“Try II” (cropped) - Chris Cinque

Chris shared that drawing representaltional figures is new to her, as she usually works in paint and collage. I am inspired by her ambition to try a new material (charcoal and pastels) while exploring personal and uncharted territory from her childhood. The piece above, “Try II”, is one of my favorites. You can see the whole piece at the bottom of this page. I was particularly drawn to the strength and tenderness of her expressive line work. The clothing rendered confidently with the form revealed beneath. Her choice of adding the pink, that is playful and pretty in the other paintings, to her hand holding the knife, is striking. She is claiming the pink as powerful. She is a young woman here, learning to protect herself, as she was not properly protected as a child. She displays a natural grace with her use of the materials and reminds me of Diebenkorn in her depiction of form.

After talking about her materials, her journey, and her art. Chris summed up the show and called herself an optimist. She reiterated how she is lucky to have found meaningful work in art, a great community, and relationships. For some reason, I was taken by this. I asked her if she has always been an optimist? She replied with somewhat of a laugh and replied, “no, no, no!” - I was quite dark. I can’t remember her exact comments, but she expressed how she has done a lot of work through the years to get to this more optimistic place. There is beauty in the reality of each stage in our lives, and we are who we need to be at the time. I love that we can also change and grow, and Chris is giving us permission to do the same.

“Try II” (full image) , “Can’t Say” behind Chris

I meant to get this picture of Chris in front of “Can’t Say” to cover it up. Chris said that this is the only piece she can’t look at. She drew over it and covered it with another drawing on top, and yet, it remains too difficult to look at. I noticed that it is the only piece that was not for sale in the show. Often an artist is “in love” with certain pieces and does not want to sell them. This piece is maybe the opposite? I have to say it is a little haunting how it is looking over her shoulder (not intended by this android phone snapshot photographer).

Chris has a gentle and kind demeanor in person. I am grateful for her efforts in putting this show together. In a strange way I went away from this show more hopeful about life, which was not what I was expecting. To learn more about Chris visit her website: www.chriscinque.com

Written by Brenda Olson. No A.I. tools used in this post. :) so if is a little wonky, it is because I am a human person and not really a writer - just a curious observer who wants to reflect a little longer, connect, and share my experiences.