Lisa Pegnato
Providence, RI
My work expresses the relations between humans and the earth. My paintings reveal war and peace in the ancient tradition of portraying The Garden of Paradise.
MessageStatement
I am inspired by relationships between humans and the earth as described by stories from throughout the history of humanity which describe our sacred relations. Plants and animals played an important role as they also had power and gifts to offer. I remember playing alone in the woods when I was very little and this work is reflecting the peace and spirit I found there. My paintings hope to inform the viewer that we still live in The Garden.
I use abstract plant imagery to explore harmony and beauty with symbols such as the lotus, seaweed ,or fruit. This play on plant abstractions has developed into multiple series. The Lotus Sutra describes the importance of our behavior as a community toward the earth and each other. Another series Conversation of the Birds, or Conference of the Birds is a play on the Persian fable with the same title.
Plants have magical codes within their structures. We exchange breath with the plant kingdom and the breath is sacred; the vibration of form as explained by quantum theology and string theory. This vibration of form is painting for me. I'm responding to archetypal icons being played out in our contemporary world.
King Januka uncovered a beautiful baby girl as he plowed the earth, Daphne turned into a tree, the body of Osiris
was hidden within a tree as well as Merlin. The Buddha sat under a tree, Iaesu was spiked to a tree, Homer likens
humanity as to a generation of leaves, and Persephone ate the seeds.
My paintings express shifting qualities with color, form and brushwork using the tension between the abstract and representational. One is reminded of Monet’s studies of Haystacks where he depicted the material qualities of light. He portrayed the outer landscapes. I’m portraying the inner landscapes.
Another series that reflects events in The Garden is war. I use horses as a metaphor for the abuses of war and power. “Rising Up” is a portrait of a dead horse ascending and opens the door to a series I have been wanting to do for a long time. I am inspired by Picasso's Guernica. In 2003 Colin Powell had to give a speech at the UN standing in front of a tapestry of Guernica and “someone” decided it was not acceptable to announce the invasion of another country while standing in front of a painting which is recognized as a statement against specifically dropping bombs on villages. So they covered it.
You could call it war and peace in The Garden; in that order. And yes I'm angry as I grew up during the Vietnam War and it broke my little girl heart. It is the way I express my love for humanity. And my disdain for it. But I am reminded by events that occur around me to recognize the power of a painting in regards to our obligations as humans to live together in community. Paintings carry messages within them. And I am a messenger.
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