Fluid realities

Sierra Montoya Barela and Julia Policasto

January 5 - February 2, 2024
319 N. 11th St. Unit 2A Philadelphia 19107

Opening Reception: Friday, January 5, 2024 

Blah Blah Gallery presents Fluid Realities, opening Friday, January 5, from 6-9 PM at 319 N. 11th Street, 2A. Fluid Realities brings together the work of Sierra Montoya Barela and Julia Policasto, offering glimpses into imagined realities through introspective still lifes and boundary-defying sculptural objects.

Sierra Montoya Barela's still life paintings transport the viewer to imagined spaces, offering glimpses into fleeting moments laden with symbolic references to her Hispanic heritage and Catholic upbringing. Each painting captures a delicate interplay between ornate tile work, grainy wood, and domestic items such as planters, photo frames, and chairs. The seemingly mundane elements transcend their utilitarian nature, serving as symbolic homages that explore the absence of a subject while imbuing the depicted spaces with a profound sense of weight and reverence. Montoya Barela's meticulous compositions skillfully navigate the intersection of personal history and universal themes, creating evocative narratives that resonate on multiple levels.

Julia Policasto's creations exist as enigmatic objects that transcend the conventional labels of painting or sculpture. Her artistic language merges the two forms and aims to dissolve the distinctions that often constrain each medium. The outcome is a series of objects that function as portals into invented scenarios and scenery. By employing canvas, oil paint, foam, and plaster, Policasto gives permanence to these alternative realities and draws from a reservoir of imagery deeply rooted in visual history and our collective familiarity. The juxtaposition of the plaster frame with the oil painting challenges the purpose and functionality of each element.