‘Counting the Days’ presents a series of paintings by Ashely B. Holmes, made in response to the death of the artist’s mother. The works, titled according to the number of days since she passed away, form a timeline. They represent the pond on the farm where generations of her family lived. She used the same image for all the paintings focusing on colour, painting techniques and collage to convey the emotional changes caused by mourning. Bright or subdued colours, light or dark hues, bold or delicate brushstrokes and playful or disconcerting collaged pieces alter the pond. It can look ecstatically bright, forbidding, obscured, dull, dark, realistic, romantic, sentimental, and threadbare. The artist believes through the process of painting that the pond, where water meets air and ashes were scattered, has become a door through which one can pass in or out of existence. This series invites the viewers to immerse themselves in this visual journey of mourning. Grief is a unique experience that everyone processes their own way. The artist hopes by sharing her process and seeing the transition through time others may take comfort in the ever changing world. ‘Counting the Days’ is curated by Francesca Biondi.
