In 2019, Lauren Betty left the urban bustle of Atlanta for farm life in North Georgia. It’s there that she first witnessed the dichotomy of nature: birth and death, warm and cold, light and dark. A lifelong artist, Betty immortalizes this juxtaposition through contemporary collages that layer dyed fabrics and painted paper. “Using spontaneous gestures, she allows the fabric to take on a life of its own, capturing the fluidity of emotions in each piece,” Citron Gallery shares in a press statement. “The work emerges as she delicately arranges and manipulates the fabric, creating an otherworldly tapestry that invites viewers to explore the boundaries between reality and the sublime.” In May, Betty will present new work at Citron. She will be joined by Rand Kramer, a gallery co-owner and mixed-media artist who layers oil and cold wax and then scrapes away at the canvas to redefine the piece entirely. Together, Betty and Kramer offer a creative style that, according to the gallery, achieves a “delicate balance between spontaneity and control.” The exhibition opens on Thursday, May 2, with a reception from 5-8pm. A percentage of proceeds from the evening will be donated to the Blue Ridge Orchestra.
Resonance: May 2-June 31; Opening Reception: Thursday, May 2, 5-8pm
Citron Gallery / 60 Biltmore Ave., Asheville