"Resilience" by Karen LaFleur

February 20–March 5, 2022

Above: still images from “Resilience”

Tell us about this artwork: What makes it unique?

“The animation "Resilience" speaks to the art of healing ... the cycle of stability, fracturing, and mending back together again. It highlights "adaptability and resilience," traits I’ve relied on since a chronically ill child and throughout my adult life to navigate the ever-shifting landscapes of poor health. Thus, the themes in this animation explore the tension between the inner need to center and the outer dynamics which pressure to pull apart. The animation “Resilience” then, highlights our ability to heal, even if the healing process ends us in a different place than where we began.”

Tell us about yourself: How did you come to be an artist in video/digital media?

“I am a techspressionist digital-artist, writer, and animator. I combine traditional drawing and painting techniques with digital renderings and computer animations. My artwork highlights the interplay between interior and exterior worlds underscoring the synergy that binds them in a symbiotic relationship. I started with computers in 1981 and have pursued creating digital artwork with a focus on human expression over technical techniques. I'm always looking for the voice within the artwork. Since I'm a writer and artist who often combines text and image, the idea of animating my artwork seems a natural extension of my life-long creative interests. When the artwork moves it breaths ... and the creative thrill as an artist is intoxicating.”

Left: image of Karen LaFleur