New York: (July 2, 2008)

Encaustic Painting: Encaustic is the process of painting with a combination of molten wax, resin and pigment that must be fused with heat after application to a support. The textures that can be achieved range from a rough appearance to a lustrous enamel appearance. This technique was most notably used in the Fayum mummy portraits from Eqypt circa 100-300 CE.

The Cheryl McGinnis Gallery is delighted to exhibit emerging artist Serena Buschi’s lush encaustic painting. Buschi is of Indian origin. Her mother was born in Sinda, India, present day Pakistan. Growing up with this heritage, the artist looked to the Mogul paintings of the 17th century. Her work has much to do with this tradition, however, her work is very much in keeping with the notions of post-feminist art.

Buschi’s concept lies in the idea that the observer is also the creator of structures that give the illusion of order and control over nature and it’s inevitable change. These structures can be religious, social, philosophical, scientific, mathematical, and they are created by means of mapping, patterning, naming, writing and codifying. Throughout this visual investigation the focus is on noticing the natural patterns and rhythms that flow with regard to the context of time and space that help us to understand and allow the acceptance of change as well as the acceptance of the nature of things, the nature of others and the nature of self.

The sensuality of the colors juxtaposed with the whimsicalness of the figures creates a sense of the precariousness of the universe. The artist’s use of patterns, inlays of glass, meridian lines suggests a heartfelt attempt at ordering the space and our own environments. Although the pieces are in fact ordered, their overwhelming depth of color strongly intimates that our attempt at trying to control the chaos of the universe, or our own small piece of it- may indeed be in vain.