Thresholds of Transformation:
Unveiling the Unseen
Crossing thresholds, unlocking boundaries
CURATORIAL STATEMENT by Nina Kong-Surtees / Solo Artist : Mary Lai
Thresholds of Transformation: Unveiling the Unseen invites viewers on a journey through the multifaceted concept of portals and thresholds, exploring the profound significance of transition in both physical and metaphysical realms. This exhibition delves into the rich interplay between interior and exterior spaces and how these boundaries shape our perceptions of freedom, confinement, and transformation.
From the ancient myths of doorways as sacred thresholds to the metaphysical explorations of contemporary artists, the portal has long symbolized passage and transformation. In medieval art, portals are often depicted as gateways to divine realms, as seen in the intricate carvings of Gothic cathedrals,which invite believers into a space of spiritual elevation. Similarly, Renaissance paintings frequently utilize doorways and windows to draw the viewer's gaze into the depth of another world, merging physical space with metaphysical contemplation.
Cages, as both literal and figurative constructs, starkly contrast the concept of portals. They represent confinement and the limitations imposed upon individuals by societal structures or personal fears. The works of artists such as Louise Bourgeois, with her intricate wire cages, or Ai Weiwei, whose installations critique political repression, underscore the tension between freedom and constraint, interior and exterior. Bourgeois' "Cell" series transforms these cages into metaphors for psychological states, encapsulating the human condition's fragility and resilience. Her works suggest that while physical spaces can confine, the mind can transcend these limitations.
Whether through the literal passage from one space to another or the metaphorical journey of personal growth, transition is a fundamental aspect of the human experience. As we move between worlds, we encounter both the constraints of cages and the liberating expanses of new realms.
The new works featured in this exhibition are extensions of Mary Lai's recent Dream Portal series and provide a contemporary lens through which we can explore these themes. Known for her dynamic use of color and form, Lai seamlessly blends traditional techniques with modern concepts to create thought-provoking pieces. The exhibit's Dream Portal(able): Golden Hour (2023) sculpture invites viewers to look closely into an unrevealed dream door, inspiring the unlocking of their dreams and paths of opportunities. The Dream Portal series encourages deeper introspection into one's aspirations as a symbolic key to personal transformation and crossing thresholds into new possibilities.
Lai's cage installation serves as a focal point for the exhibition's exploration of transition and transformation. Her work challenges viewers to reconsider their perceptions of space and reality, inviting them to step through the portals and cages she establishes and experiences a world where the lines between interior and exterior, confinement and freedom, constantly shift.
Lai's ability to navigate various media, from painting and sculpture to installation art, reflects the essence of crossing thresholds and challenging boundaries. Through Thresholds of Transformation: Unveiling the Unseen, each piece serves as a reminder that every door, whether physical or metaphysical, holds the potential for discovery, change, and new beginnings. Lai encourages us to question the cages we construct around ourselves and to seek out the portals that can lead to new understandings and experiences. The exhibition creates a space where the boundaries between the confined and the expansive, the known and the unknown, blur into a continuum of possibility. The artworks collectively highlight the inherent duality of boundaries to prompt a deeper understanding of art's transformative power. It challenges us to consider the following: What cages do we inhabit, and what doors/portals might we open to transcend them?
