Core Contemporary proudly presents “Soma,” a solo exhibition featuring the art of Laura Esbensen.
The Grotesque, before it is horror or alien, is simply and beautifully a sum of parts; it is a conversation about addition, about growing. The ethos of the Grotesque is potential. Creating abstract, loosely figurative sculptures and paintings under this thematic umbrella, artist Laura Esbensen explores processes of mutilation and survival, recognizing each work as a metaphorical body. Orbs that resemble disembodied organs are sandwiched between heavy blocks or isolated in a vinyl plane with glowing lights, presenting a playful haphazardness alongside implied toxicity. Esbensen utilizes the inverse relationship between spectacle and effects, and theatricality and narrative, to stage the sculptures in humorous, metaphorical worlds of hopefulness. The artist's material interest in plastics, epoxies, and construction material doubles down on humour and artifice as a way to create playful representations of the fragility of the body, highlighting potential and survival. Organic reds, fluorescent pinks, and plastic transparencies continue a conversation about the boundary between authenticity and artifice. There is promise in plasticity.
“The conceptual deep-dive and fearless experimentation found in Esbensen's sculptures and paintings captured my imagination at first introduction.” shares gallery owner/curator, Nancy Good. “Coming from my own perspectives as a humanist, philosophical artist, Esbensen's work connects with an oddly-comforting familiarity, while also holding disturbing foreign components that compel me to look again.”
Dividing her time between Las Vegas and San Diego, Esbensen received a BA in Studio Arts from the University of California, San Diego and an MFA in Fine Arts from Leslie University.
The exhibition runs from Thursday, October 3rd, through Friday, December 13th, with an opening reception and visit with the artist on October 3rd, from 6-8:00pm. Gallery hours are Tuesdays through Fridays, 11:30am to 5:30pm.
The Grotesque, before it is horror or alien, is simply and beautifully a sum of parts; it is a conversation about addition, about growing. The ethos of the Grotesque is potential. Creating abstract, loosely figurative sculptures and paintings under this thematic umbrella, artist Laura Esbensen explores processes of mutilation and survival, recognizing each work as a metaphorical body. Orbs that resemble disembodied organs are sandwiched between heavy blocks or isolated in a vinyl plane with glowing lights, presenting a playful haphazardness alongside implied toxicity. Esbensen utilizes the inverse relationship between spectacle and effects, and theatricality and narrative, to stage the sculptures in humorous, metaphorical worlds of hopefulness. The artist's material interest in plastics, epoxies, and construction material doubles down on humour and artifice as a way to create playful representations of the fragility of the body, highlighting potential and survival. Organic reds, fluorescent pinks, and plastic transparencies continue a conversation about the boundary between authenticity and artifice. There is promise in plasticity.
“The conceptual deep-dive and fearless experimentation found in Esbensen's sculptures and paintings captured my imagination at first introduction.” shares gallery owner/curator, Nancy Good. “Coming from my own perspectives as a humanist, philosophical artist, Esbensen's work connects with an oddly-comforting familiarity, while also holding disturbing foreign components that compel me to look again.”
Dividing her time between Las Vegas and San Diego, Esbensen received a BA in Studio Arts from the University of California, San Diego and an MFA in Fine Arts from Leslie University.
The exhibition runs from Thursday, October 3rd, through Friday, December 13th, with an opening reception and visit with the artist on October 3rd, from 6-8:00pm. Gallery hours are Tuesdays through Fridays, 11:30am to 5:30pm.
AND SO YOU ALWAYS KNOW WHERE WE STAND ...
Core Contemporary is open to all people and affirms its commitment and dedication to diversity, inclusion, equity, and cultural awareness. We welcome everyone, including people of all colors and ethnicities, adherents of all belief systems or religions and those that do not profess or practice a religion, people of all genders and sexual orientations, and all other members of marginalized communities or oppressed groups. We encourage discovery and learning in our space, where all people are respected and protected. Within our space, we seek to protect everyone from all forms of hostility and oppression, including sexism, misogyny, ableism, ageism, racism, classism, xenophobia, homophobia, transphobia, and religious persecution.
As an art gallery, we defend intellectual freedom, oppose censorship, and uphold our commitment to the free and open exchange of ideas and viewpoints that is the very foundation of democracy and a part of our gallery mission. We honor the voices and lived experiences of all members of our community. We see it as fundamental to the gallery's mission to foster a sense of belonging and to provide welcoming and inclusive surroundings where all people are treated with respect and dignity.
- Core Contemporary denounces systemic racism and is commited to being leaders in confronting racism.
- We condemn violence and structural racism evident in our society.
- We affirm our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion as stated below.
- We stand with our community in opposing xenophobia and racism.
- We know we must do better, both as individuals and as an organization, to support our artists, staff, volunteers, and visitors who identify as BIPOC, to ensure justice and a safe community for all, and to stamp out a system of white supremacy from which many continue to unfairly benefit.
Core Contemporary is open to all people and affirms its commitment and dedication to diversity, inclusion, equity, and cultural awareness. We welcome everyone, including people of all colors and ethnicities, adherents of all belief systems or religions and those that do not profess or practice a religion, people of all genders and sexual orientations, and all other members of marginalized communities or oppressed groups. We encourage discovery and learning in our space, where all people are respected and protected. Within our space, we seek to protect everyone from all forms of hostility and oppression, including sexism, misogyny, ableism, ageism, racism, classism, xenophobia, homophobia, transphobia, and religious persecution.
As an art gallery, we defend intellectual freedom, oppose censorship, and uphold our commitment to the free and open exchange of ideas and viewpoints that is the very foundation of democracy and a part of our gallery mission. We honor the voices and lived experiences of all members of our community. We see it as fundamental to the gallery's mission to foster a sense of belonging and to provide welcoming and inclusive surroundings where all people are treated with respect and dignity.
CORE CONTEMPORARY is a unique venue for aficionados looking for a diverse and sophisticated art experience. Located minutes from the Las Vegas Strip and Convention Center, this 2,200sf gallery provides an engaging setting in which to experience remarkable art, meet working artists, enjoy immersive educational forums, and host private events.
CORE CONTEMPORARY also supports an artist-run nonprofit (Core Arts Concord Inc. - CACI) providing opportunities for working fine artists living in Las Vegas and diverse arts and culture experiences for the local community.
CORE CONTEMPORARY also supports an artist-run nonprofit (Core Arts Concord Inc. - CACI) providing opportunities for working fine artists living in Las Vegas and diverse arts and culture experiences for the local community.
While we continue to endeavor to provide for free or low cost arts & culture experiences,
we are completely self-funded. If you, too, feel a healthy community depends upon keeping
these types of experiences and opportunities readily available, we welcome your support.
