La Subida Del Destino and Road Runner

It was down the dark, nook of an alleyway on the streets of Norwich that another one of Moosey’s art exhibitions were held. The vibrant, hyper-realistic display of Road Runner alongside the charismatic and bright exhibit of La Subida Del Destino (Destiny’s Climb) was unmissable. Both incredibly unique in their perception and artistic approach. 

After grabbing a glass of white wine, my eyes couldn’t wait to observe the fascinatingly detail oriented work of Australian artist Megan Hales in her Road Runner exhibition - represented by themes of destiny, time, sustenance and resources.

‘Horse Power’ (2024), Megan Hales, was my favourite of the night. The sheer beauty in the chaos represented by the grimy and worn fabric of the car floors, overused breaks that seem to have carved a hole in the flooring - which conveniently forms a slight pond, if the miniature fishes and murky water are anything to go by - count as a part two to her previous exhibition painting, ‘Big Day’ (2024). It acts as the post credits to the past painting which represents, and I quote: “ A bride who falls out with a toad, both of whom are stuck in the mud. Now she’s in the overtaking lane, knocking off her lifespan with fun in the sun, and other things that fry”. As such, ‘Horse Power’ appropriately contributes to the themes of pace and destiny. To me, it spoke to the eagerness of catching time amidst the complexity of life, chasing away at the predator that is the clock using the thrill of finding your destiny whilst finding the fun in doing so. 

As I drifted around the lower gallery some more, passing Slow Down and Broken Lines (2024), I couldn’t help but appreciate the elemental ‘Daily Fortune’ (2024) - an approach on the 4 elements, water, fire, gas and air. Inspired by a gas station stop, Megan, who had been searching for a way to compose these elements into art, used the idea of the ice dispenser, gas tanks, fire wood, and tire air as a way to represent these natural resources. I, myself, flound the texture and detailing (once again) fascinating. From the 3D texture of the bird excrement on the ice machine, to the rust chipping away at the surface, and the fly’s that are perched on them. I found it hard to distinguish it from reality. The paint isn’t just used as a mechanism for drawing, but as a catalyst to literally bring certain characteristics to life. You cannot help but be drawn and enamoured by the appreciation of her artistry.

‘Daily Fortune’ (2024) Megan Hales (See our IG for Image outline_norwich)

Moving upstairs to La Subida Del Destino (Destiny’s Climb), I was met with an array of fervor and warmth created by Afro-Dominican American artist Eilen Itzel Mena. The gallery showcased various depictions of a black woman using a multitude of colours and layers of Acrylic, Gouache and Oil. In the exhibition pamphlets, Eilen quotes this as being about a black woman who; “has just climbed a palm tree and is relishing in being at the top of it, a physically and emotionally heightened state”. 

Whilst these works of art were depictions of the same woman, the colours and orientation deliberately changed the perception, offering a different viewpoint of joy and destiny. The feeling of a heightened state is immediate when observing each art piece, no matter what. For me, the consistent expression and bright hues of sunflower yellow, ruby red, lily pinks and brilliant greens connoted liberation and positive states of being. Though, it was enlightening to learn more about Eilen’s inspiration and therefore intention with this exhibition after having those feelings ignited through her work. The palm tree is a reference from a Yoruba story, one that keeps her connected to her Caribbean heritage. She continually uses the palm tree as a symbolic representation of healing and liberation after being inspired by 18th and 19th century paintings that depict enslaved Latin and Caribbean people. She states: “These paintings all situate the palm tree as a passive element of the landscape or portrait, I offer a different perspective”

‘LA SUBIDA DEL DESTINO’ Eilen Itzel Mena.  (See our IG for Image outline_norwich)

As someone of Caribbean heritage myself, it couldn’t help but feel personable. Further speaking on Eilen’s importance in making work like this, not just due to her ancestry, but also to uplift those in marginalised groups. Her exhibition was nothing short of broadening. 

Walking out, I felt inspired and encouraged. Satiated in my need for creativity, looking forward to the next exhibit that finds me.