Artists Jalena Hay, Laura Cleary Williams, and Brittney Ciccone discuss their creative methodologies and the themes of their exhibition Eternal Cycles at Warren's Contemporary. This powerful exhibition features the work of Laura, Jalena, and Brittney, three contemporary artists exploring themes of impermanence, change, and the cyclical nature of life. Through abstraction, layering, and dynamic mark-making, they examine how we leave lasting traces in a constantly shifting world.
Here’s what we discuss:
- The cyclical nature of life as a recurring theme, reflected in the exhibition’s exploration of chaos, order, and impermanence.
- How meditation and reflection have transformed each artist's perspective and approach to their work.
- Navigating the unpredictable nature of creation, technology, and life, while finding beauty in imperfection.
- Insights on balancing personal expression with viewer interaction, where art becomes a conversation.
About Jalena, Laura, and Brittney -
Jalena’s practice is all about taking control of the chaos. Her work layers Pen, Ink, Gouache, Pastel and Colored Pencil to create intricate compositions that don’t just ask for your attention—they demand it. These compositions evoke a tension between abstraction and emotion, where every mark becomes part of a larger exploration of themes such as impermanence, resilience, and interconnectedness. Jalena Hay was born and raised in Southern California before moving to New York City to study Drawing and Printmaking at Pratt Institute. Her passion for printmaking took her to Amsterdam, where she dove deep into lithography, pushing the boundaries of line, texture and form.
Brittney Ciccone, an abstract painter originally from Hudson Valley, NY, now resides and works in Boston, Massachusetts. She earned her bachelor's degree in Fine Arts from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. Brittney is an active member of the Boston SoWa Artist Guild and participates in various solo and group shows, including notable exhibitions like Brooklyn TOAF. Her work captivates collectors internationally and is featured in private collections across multiple continents.
Laura Cleary Williams’s abstract spaces are an ode to an imperfect language. Through motion, she makes marks that translate thought - subconscious – a viscerally understood language. Williams works from her hometown of Chattanooga, Tennessee. In 2009, she received her BFA from Tufts University and the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Next, Williams received a full scholarship to complete her Master's in Printmaking in 2012 at SCAD-Atlanta. Williams worked at SCAD‘s Southeastern Center for Printmaking. There, she worked on an ambitious print collection with Kiki Smith and Valerie Hammond.