Virtual Visions
Clarisse Abelarde
Inherited Interiors
Ana Rodriguez
June 1 – June 22, 2024
Opening Reception, Saturday, June1, 5 – 8pm
LAUNCH Gallery
170 S. La Brea Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90036
LAUNCH Gallery is proud to present two Los Angeles based artists, both alumni of the Cal State Long Beach
undergraduate painting program, and their deeply personal new paintings inspired by memories of the past
while simultaneously using the work to contemplate contemporary society and their place in it.
Filipina immigrant Clarisse Abelarde uses her oil paintings to navigate themes of displacement and identity in
modern times dependent on social media and all-to-often abbreviated interpersonal interactions. Clarisse
strives to negotiate the quick, often insincere, frenetic energy of the digital realm with the slower, contemplative
nature of oil painting to explore and reflect on contemporary society and her own personal journey through it.
“Central to my artistic vocabulary is the motif of repetition, a nod to the ubiquitous presence of
digital symbols in our social media-driven landscape. Through exaggerated portrayals of online
antics, I seek to underline the stark dichotomy between the superficiality of virtual interactions
and the profound introspection that is becoming increasingly rare in the human condition, urging
you to pause and reflect. In a world where the mundane and the extraordinary converge with
alarming frequency, my art serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring power of human
emotion amidst the digital maelstrom.”
In her new mixed media series Inherited Interiors, Ana Rodriguez recalls joyful memories of her upbringing
using extravagant colors, sinuous shapes and syrupy textures. Ana’s inspiration is firmly rooted in the
decorative arts and nostalgia of her California working-class upbringing. She skillfully engages the function of
pattern and decoration while celebrating their lasting cultural implications.
“I explore objects of ritual used to adorn the home as a way to visualize the social construct of
objects in interior settings. At its very core, Inherited Interiors engages in this dialogue on how
patterns and decoration within the home contribute to a large framework of social and individual
constructs.”
About the Artists
Clarisse Abelarde received a BFA in drawing and painting at CSU Long Beach and four associate degrees in
General Arts, Liberal Arts, Studio Art, and Art History at Los Angeles City College. Abelarde recently
completed the Quinn-Emanuel artist-in-residence and founded Nous-Ance Projects, an online platform for artist
interviews, blogs, and annual exhibitions in Los Angeles. Her work has been featured in publications such as
Hyperallergic, Primary Magazine, and The City of LA Department of Cultural Affairs Calendar and Cultural
Guide. Abelarde’s paintings have been shown in galleries such as Superchief Gallery, Residency Art Gallery,
Stay Gallery, and much more. Abelarde lives and works in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles amid the hustle
and bustle of city life, which serves as her inspiration daily.
Ana Rodriguez grew up in the small community of Maywood, California, which is adjacent to the industrial
cities of Commerce and Vernon and their numerous chemical plants, refineries, public waste areas and
foundries. Rodriguez combines resources that range from kitchen cabinet liners, linoleum flooring, wallpaper,
fabric from her dolls and toys, clothing that her mother made her as a child, family pictures, and memory. The
mix of sources is reflected in Rodriguez's paintings that combine brightly colored gesture painting against the
decorative pattern. Ana Rodriguez earned a BFA from California State University, Long Beach (2007) and an
MFA from Otis College of Art and Design (2009).
LAUNCH LA believes exposure to the arts enhances quality of life and strengthens community for all through the shared appreciation of creative expression in all its forms and hybrids. LAUNCH LA is passionate about providing all artists regardless of race, color, creed or sexual orientation with quality opportunities to present themselves and their creations that reflect our times to a curious and enthusiastic audience at important happenings throughout Los Angeles.
Media Contact:
James Panozzo
james@launchla.org
323.899.1363
