Clarisse Abelarde

Clarisse Abelarde is a Los Angeles-based artist whose work delves into the fusion of the real and virtual worlds, exploring how this convergence impacts the human psyche. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Drawing and Painting from California State University, Long Beach, in 2022, and holds four Associate Degrees in General Arts, Liberal Arts, Studio Art, and Art History from Los Angeles City College. In 2023, Abelarde completed the Quinn-Emanuel artist-in-residence program. She is also the founder and director of Nous-Ance Projects, an online platform dedicated to artist interviews, blogs, and annual exhibitions in Los Angeles.

"My work questions our immersion into the digital realm and how the fusion of real and virtual might affect our psyche."

In her downtown Los Angeles studio, Abelarde investigates the in-between spaces where the physical and digital worlds converge. Employing an abstract-mimetic hybrid approach, she fragments space and utilizes imagination to elevate her work, pushing naturalistic elements with graphic shapes and high color saturation. Her paintings echo the visceral impact of the abstract expressionist movement, emphasizing paint physicality and raw emotion, achieving a balance between chaos and structure.

"I am interested in the fragmentation of space and the active use of imagination or invention to elevate the work."

For her contribution to "Gathered At The Well," Abelarde presents ‘Quantum Leap’ (2024), a 69 x 40-inch oil painting on canvas. The work encapsulates her signature approach, blending figuration with abstraction to explore the fragmented interplay between identity, memory, and the digital realm. The layered composition includes reflective surfaces, distorted perspectives, and vivid color juxtapositions, inviting viewers into a world where reality and imagination converge. This piece is a striking example of her ability to balance chaos and order while engaging with the complexities of modern life.

Abelarde continues to explore the interplay between reality and the digital sphere, delving deeper into how this fusion influences human perception and emotion. Her upcoming projects aim to further dissect these themes, inviting viewers to pause and reflect amidst the digital maelstrom.

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