Katrina Coombs’ Just Breathe infuses myriad expressions

December, it is said, is the most wonderful time of the year; it is also a time when art showcases are on a crescendo. ‘Just Breathe’ an exhibition by Katrina Coombs on display at CreativSpace, in downtown Kingston.

‘Just Breathe’ takes viewers on a journey of self-expression, reflection, and empowerment through art. Guest speaker at the opening reception was Denise Salmon, a cultural development specialist.

She said, the title, holds multiple meanings. “On the surface, it reminds us to find solace and calmness amidst the chaos of life. It seems that Katrina intends to inhale deeply, exhale her challenges, and be present in the moment. Of course, this exhibition delves far beyond the realm of breathing techniques.”

Salmon said the the exhibition delves into the depths of personal experiences, and in the process unearths various truths and visual representations with the artist in the centre of it all. The word “catharsis” resonates strongly in this show, as each artwork serves as a vehicle for emotional release, transformation, and survival. “Surviving using the arts is nothing new. The brilliant singer Donny Hathaway replied simply when asked where he would be without his music, “I would be dead”,” she said.

Navigating through Coombs’ body of work viewers encounter intricate recurring themes. This includes themes of female relationships, emotions, motherhood, and the resilience of women, also seen in her installation at the National Gallery’s 2023 Biennial, Apocalypse.

“But what does this all mean? Here it is important to remember Pierce’s 19th-century semiotics, a philosophical theory that suggests artwork can act as signs and signify meanings in all kinds of ideas based on the interpretation of the onlooker.

“Each observer will perceive and interpret these artworks uniquely and subjectively. The themes already mentioned may not align with everyone’s personal encounters with these works, and that is the beauty of art, it touches us individually and sparks conversations and debates beyond a single interpretation,” Salmon said.

She added that it is important to note that this exhibition showcases Katrina’s bold exploration of a new approach to her work. She moves away from the mastery of familiar fibre arts techniques and fearlessly ventures into uncharted territory. Using the unfamiliar medium of felt, Katrina creates images that are not painted nor drawn.

“She describes this process as both enjoyable, and yet painful. By tediously manipulating felting needles and a felting mat, along with wool, she skilfully moulds and sculpts shapes and designs, and in the process presents an entirely new dimension to her artistic expression. While the technique itself may not be ground-breaking, her unwavering dedication to innovation shines through. Her artistic vision takes us on a journey where fibres transform and transcend the boundaries of traditional fibre arts,” Salmon said.

Curated by Winston Campbell, the exhibition remains open until December 24, Thursdays to Sundays, between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.