Cell Gallery : YOU UP Artists Erin Williamson and Alison Kruse team up for a collaborative exhibition
Alison Kruse and Erin Williamson both graduated from Queen’s University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a Minor in Art History in 2017. They are both currently living and working in Toronto.
This series of work, aptly titled “You Up?”, speaks to notion hookup culture and modern dating. It represents the exchange of physical intimacy through casual encounters that are typically void of commitment or a mutual emotional bond. Despite this, the emotions that are evoked are often intense, creating an disruptive imbalance.
Erin’s textile works are based on a series of messages; each the last text received from various past lovers or romantically-involved friends. These emotionally charged messages are each hand stitched onto pillows, drawing back to the notion of intimacy and vulnerability represented by “the bed.”
After reading this list of texts, Alison immediately noticed what kind of feelings were erupting within her; rage, disappointment, pain, curiosity, and disgust. Each of her paintings illustrates one of these texts. With this series of work, she aims to share the unnatural complexities of hook up culture so she can gain a better understanding of why she is so fascinated by it.