Dana Lynn Louis: Weave

RUSSO LEE GALLERY, Portland OR - Feb 6 - 29
by Allyn Cantor
Dana Lynn Louis is a multidisciplinary artist well-known for her thoughtful sculptural works and larger-scale, immersive installations that engage architectural spaces, including several notable public commissions in Portland and throughout the Northwest.

Dana Lynn Louis, Celestial Fog II (detail), 2019, acrylic, cotton,
gauze, silk, thread, and rice sack.

Louis is versed in media ranging from drawing, painting, glass and fiber to photography, sound and light projections. Whether it be line, form, shadow or light, an organic and delicate quality unifies her style, paying reverence to the natural world and the interconnectedness of humanity and living beings.
Her new exhibition, Weave, has come about over a two-year period. During this time the artist pursued a residency in Senegal, West Africa, as well as a city-wide collaboration in Portland called Gather:Make:Shelter, which brings artists and houseless people together in a shared creative process. These experiences of community building and commonality among humans have shaped her outlook and her newest artworks, against the backdrop of environmental and social challenges that face our world.

Dana Lynn Louis, Exhale (detail), 2019, silk, acrylic, thread.

Weaving together life and work in a contemplative manner, Louis’ artistic practice gestures toward healing. Through mixed-media artworks combining materials like silk, thread, acrylic and cotton, she creates a quiet, meditative aesthetic that speaks about the fundamental qualities of all living things. Her elegant pieces recall natural systems and are reflective of biological patterning. The timeless, web-like motifs infuse spaces with a gossamer beauty, a calm hope and emotional levity.
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