Co.Lab Gallery presents

VICKI NERINO

KINDRED

OPENING FRIDAY SEPT 22ND, 7-10PM

EXHIBITION CLOSES OCTOBER 11TH, 2023

Kindred examines the many layers of one’s self, of old and new, of understanding and mystery, and spending time in the liminal spaces in between. The eternal evolution of ourselves and the refusal to stop changing shape.

Vicki Nerino grew up in Thunder Bay, but spent their formative years in southern Ontario. They attended Sheridan college, received a BAA in Illustration, spent years in textile design, comics, freelance illustration, and most recently, tattooing. Vic returned to Thunder Bay in 2020 to start fresh, open a tattoo shop, and grow roots. 

The process of layering paint and line is something Vic has been experimenting with and fine tuning for 15 years. The precision of printed line juxtaposed with the loose freedom of paint, and marrying the two to create somewhat of a mysterious appearance.

For this collection, Vic began by creating a lexicon of imagery that they were drawn to and felt true; vintage portraiture, ooze, crumbling stone, portals, botany, the elements… Viewers will notice the portraits are mostly femme presenting. There’s an evolution, a transformation in each figure. Sliced, sampled, obstructed, these figures are representative of a processing; a dissecting of self that the artist is experiencing. 

The use of vintage paintings and found collage paper is from a love of vintage art, the artist collects these surfaces as a way to help direct the palette and arrangements in a new direction as well as enjoy the art of problem solving that it creates. 

The work feels deep + dark, uncomfortable and sometimes jarring, but is actually a tender story of hope and freedom in the struggle of meandering through the unknown.

All works for sale, email vickinerino@gmail.com

@vickinerino