She is a social butterfly

The bright colours, female forms and subtle patterns of Sherie McKay Gladu's latest exhibition Social Butterflies adorn the walls of Whitespace Gallery, 817 Queen St. E.

At first glance, the butterfly wing motif would appear to be the predominant force behind the works.

But layered among, around and within those wings are words, figures and a persistent message, which I will leave up to the individual viewer to interpret.

Much like the artist herself, the show is bold yet subtle, strong yet delicate and truly beautiful.

Social Butterflies is on display at Whitespace Gallery until Saturday, September 1.

Artist Statement

Sherie McKay’s works are concerned with how we as individuals internalize conceptions and standards such as body image, beauty ideals, and gender rolls.

Sherie’s recent series of paintings are explorations in the concept of presentation of the female body.

Through our personal style (fashion and clothing) we are able to represent both character and inform our fellow humans of the place we take in society.

The ideas hinge on how natural biology has allowed the butterfly to practice what women often attempt to create through contraptions, surgery or diet plans or the patterns we wear.

The intent of our “pattern” could be to attract, repel, instill fear or domination.

It is an exploration of the difference between nature and the human manipulation our society has normalized.

Her new projects revolve around human patterns (relating to clothing) and natural patterns relating to the butterfly.

They also explore the notion of an “Ideal body” through repetition of the use of size six mannequins.

The natural patterns butterflies exhibit are translated into a wearable painted pattern, worn by the size 6 resin female mannequin forms.

These garments are further informed by a transparent application of women’s garment tissue patterns.

The most recent works continue exploring these ideas, and are beginning to incorporate Barbie figures as “mini mannequins”.

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