Opening reception: May 7, 6 – 8 pm

Octavia Art Gallery is pleased to present Horizons in Space, an exhibition of new paintings by Regina Scully.

In this exhibition, Scully explores the concept of the horizon and the visual impact of the horizon line in space. The horizon appears as a line separating the two realms of earth and sky and is the furthest physical distance we can see. It is symbolic of dreams and goals, and of the possibilities that lie in the unknown future. It is a common experience in life, to stare out at the horizon and project one’s longings and desires onto this line. Always present (even beyond the buildings or trees), it is a visual sight that connects us. At the same time, this ethereal line is similar to viewing a mirage in the distance. We each experience our own particular visions when looking at the horizon, ones that often fuse reality with the imagination.

Through her exploration of the horizon, Scully continues to focus on the concept of the painting being an entrance into another world and an invitation to explore it in a personal way. While the artist references land forms from earth, she imagines the horizon on other planets and in parallel universes. In some paintings, she stacks the horizon line in rows, suggesting a different way of seeing and perceiving. Stacking multiple horizon lines allows for reflection on how these different perceptions co-exist. The viewer can also travel from the bottom of the painting to the top or vice versa and explore each place before moving on to the next. In some paintings, there is a suggestion of ladders between the different levels and worlds.

Scully approaches the canvas in the same way that she invites the viewer to experience the finished painting, with an attitude of exploration and discovery. In this body of work, Scully pushes color and incorporates bright pinks, purples, and greens into her already vibrant palette that resonates with a futuristic and other-wordly feeling. Scully states that the use of black emphasizes the mysterious unknown and the possibilities in outer space that await discovery.

Accompanying the exhibition is a mini-documentary by video artist and filmmaker Michael Lancaster, in which the artist discusses her process and motivations.

Regina Scully lives and works in New Orleans and maintains a daily practice in her Bywater studio. She was born in Norfolk, Virginia and received her BFA in Painting from Rhode Island School of Design and her MFA from University of New Orleans. Scully has exhibited at C24 Gallery, New York; Octavia Art Gallery, New Orleans and Houston; Opera Gallery, Geneva; Prospect1.5, New Orleans; Prospect.2, Lafayette. Her work is included in the Microsoft Art Collection, New Orleans Museum of Art, Capital One Art Collection, and the Frederick R. Weisman Art Foundation Collection.