WARP- MGFranco: Creative Impulse: Outside Museum Visit- Susan Te Kanurangi King & Ida Applebroog Exhibitions at ICA Miami

Selfie at ICA Miami

If I can use only one word to describe these two artists and their work will be inspiration. Both of them where in a complicated state of their lives, but art was their way to speak up. They not only have the disadvantage of their genre but also share a disability. Simply looking into their artworks you see colorful patterns, different mediums, exploration of techniques. Once you start to look deeper into the pieces you start to realize about the possible purpose of these works; a form of communication. Personally these exhibitions open my perception as an artist to be, sending me a message of never give up and keep working hard against my limitations in order to succeed. A particular series that motivate me and made me reflect about my past, present and future was Applebroog "A Performance" pieces.

What I love about these exhibitions was the use of different mediums; how simply they look at first sight but how elaborated and deep they really are. What I like from King pieces was the way she used bright colors and combine them with zentangles forms especially on the "untitled" series (2012-2014). Other interesting aspect from King work was the multiplication of iconic cartoons and the hidden details such as animals combined with people wearing masks. What I like from Applebroog artworks were the little notes she embedded on her pieces from the series "Mercy Hospital" (1969-70). Other engaging aspect was the three series of lithographs from “A Performance”, how she mails these books to friends and acquaintances innovating on the way of distributing art and ideas. What I did not like about both exhibitions was the arrangement of the artwork inside the gallery space; making hard to follow the chronological dates from the pieces, as well as a little arc between Applebroog “A Performance” pieces and King “Untitled” (2008) (2009) (2011) that join both exhibitions confusing the artists works for the viewer. Both artists used colors and forms to express and communicate their feelings towards the world they live in.