Works motivated by 9/11
use fantastical imagery

THE BEGINNING PROCESS:
WORKS FROM AN ARTIST'S RESIDENCY


By MARl SASANO

An exhibition by Tessa Nunn
Until Sept. 27
Harcourt House Arts Centre
(10215.112 St.).

ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2001, THE WORLD changed. And so did Edmonton artist Tessa Nunn.
"The complexity of the show was prompted by September 11 and the trauma of living in the aftermath of it. Trauma can trigger memories that otherwise might not surface. It's an opportunity to look into our soul and begin the journey of cleansing the chakras," she explains.

Nunn was studying at the New York Academy of Art when the towers went down, and now, two years later, she has distilled her feelings into an exhibition, The Beginning Process, which is currently showing in the front room at Harcourt Hous. For the last year, Nunn has been the oranization's first artist-in-residence.: "I painted 80 percent of these at home, thoughthey wereconceived three years ago in New York."
Her time there proved to be a powerful influence. "Being exposed to so many other artists and influences; New York is seething with life; such a colourful diversity of people. It broadened my mind and gave me space to be alone alone amongst millions of people."
Which is not to say that her latest work will be unrecognizable to those familiar with her older paintings. This most recent collection features her trademark nude self-portraits, grouped thematically.

I think this series was born out of September 11 and my proximity to the event. The event made me think about why I was painting people and what it means to be human. There are many eastern elements, they are all spiritualy based. I tried to make visual different philosophical and spiritual practice. The works are pagan in nature."
The "pagan" aspect lends a fantasy element to the works: materializing as a fairy-like incarnation, painted in delicate pastels is a squatting nude (wearing some heavy workboots) under the fierce gaze of the goddess Kali.
"They have been called postmodern work because they show a fusion of artistic practices and because of their cross-cultural content. My background is as an anthropologist. I'm giving visuals to the notion of the oneness of all beings."
Referencing the themes of the trau ma and vulnerability felt in the wake of the September 11 attacks, Nunn also ties back to the universal trauma, as experienced as "a child's memoirs."
"The show is multilayered, it refers to female sexuality and specifically to childhood sexualization. Being women, we're all touched by it to a degree."

"BLACK HOLES IN THE SKY" Nunn says she provides visuals for, "The different philosophical and spiritual practices that are pagan in nature."