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Channeling costume history of the Renaissance through the Georgian period, each highly detailed painting is Proffer's depiction of old world aristocratic decadence; these mannerist gothic and punk portraits of imaginary nobility explore the roles that beauty, vanity, entitlement and virtue play in shaping aesthetic outcomes. Concerned with identity, first impressions, and the ideas and representations of counter-culture and tradition, each piece explores how piercing, tattoos, and punk rock style might have been adopted by aristocrats and social elites as part of their decoration for serious portraits to be left as a reminder of their legacy.
While each portrait is a product of imagination -- most depicted as ambitious women in pursuit of perfection, and the doomed men who adore them -- the original biographies created by Proffer lend a surreal authenticity. Besides creating biographies and researching costumes, Proffer's artistic process also involves creating a family tree and homeland map for each portrait, connecting one relation to another.
Arabella Proffer is a Cleveland based painter, illustrator and co-founder of the indie label Elephant Stone Records. She received her BFA from California Institute of the Arts and has participated in solo and group exhibitions throughout North America and Europe.
Meet Arabella at the public reception of "Splendor and Safety Pins" on Saturday, September 19th from 6 - 9pm. It is free and open to the public!
September 15 - October 10
Box Heart Gallery
4523 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15224
P. 412 687 8858
Gallery Hours:
Tuesday - Saturday: 10 AM - 6 PM
Sunday: 1 PM - 5 PM
image: Sara - 7" X 9", Oil on Canvas Board, framed.