“It’s not what you wanted”, 2021
New York based artist Alyssa Monks forces us to confront deep feelings of anguish in his new series titled Everything is under control. Inspired by the isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, these realistic canvases compel viewers to watch the emotional tales of solitary figures, slightly abstracted by the wet glass of their shower stalls.
From hiding behind their hands to staring at the wall, these intimate portraits depict a range of reactions to crisis, each with their own unique voice. “At times the recent global and national devastation, division and so many disappointments felt like a surreal projection of my own mental states in isolation over the past 18 months,” Monks said. Explain. “I began to explore the human addiction to control and predictability, and how our deepest suffering stems from our attachment to security, virtue, identity, and the logic of cause and effect.”
According to Monks, placing the figures in a slightly transparent bathroom cubicle serves several purposes. “The glass barrier in these paintings between subject and viewer is darkened by a vapor that obscures and abstracts the subject,” she says. “This barrier underscores the personal and community concern about virus-laden respiratory droplets and the isolation it creates.” As a result, the viewer’s perception of these characters is ambiguous; we cannot see the full expression of their faces or any clear details. Instead, we infer their emotions through body language and the drama of the foggy setting.
Some of the paintings in this series are still available for purchase through the Forum Gallery. You can also find prints of the artist’s paintings via her websiteand keep up to date with Monks’ latest work and upcoming exhibitions by following the artist on instagram.
New York artist Alyssa Monks captures the human addiction to control and predictability in her series Everything is under control.
“Watch the only way out”, 2021
Detail of “It’s not what you wanted”, 2021
Inspired by the isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, this series features paintings of lonely figures in times of deep distress.
“Everything is under control”, 2021
“Dissociate”, 2021
Each woman is alone in the shower cubicle, her anguish clearly felt even though her expression is distorted by the misty, wet glass.
“No turning back”, 2021
Detail of “No turning back”, 2021
“We never see it coming”, 2021
Alyssa Monks: Website | Facebook | instagram
My Modern Met has granted permission to feature photos of Alyssa Monks.
Related Articles:
Exquisite oil paintings capture the forgotten moments of daily life
Stunning oil paintings capture the intricate shadows created by folding fans
Stunning oil paintings capture beautiful landscapes from countries around the world
