Abstract Expressionism was a vanguard movement in New York in the 1940s and 1950s. Characterized by large-scale paintings and the muscular, physical application of paint, the movement is largely associated with male painters. Despite this, many female contemporaries painted in this style, demonstrating that its only real precondition was a passion to paint.
Like the original Abstract Expressionists, Joy Kinna does not seek to reproduce the world around her, choosing instead to make meaning in her artwork through paint alone. Like the pioneers of the movement, Kinna believes this style is a both a personal form of release and a means to communicate emotion directly through her medium, remarking “there is something so freeing about it and empowering.”
In Last Night’s Dreams dynamic brushwork on a strong diagonal provides a sense of movement. Coupled with an energetic palette, the vigorous treatment of her medium instantly communicates a sense of joy, vitality, and life. Paintings Blue Series 1 and Blue Series 2 present a very different impression. Cool, monochromatic colors create a quiet, almost melancholy sensibility. In her Rainy State series Kinna incorporates lush gold tones that contrast dramatically with otherwise grey-blue palette. The effect recalls moments of golden sunshine that seep through the rain-soaked vistas of the Pacific Northwest.
These paintings are a momentary reprieve from everyday life, a gratifying pause within which to consider the emotive potential of colour and brushstroke. Though Abstract Expressionism had its heyday nearly a century ago, Joy Kinna continues to connect to its stylistic influence, confirming the lasting appeal of this raw, intense style of painting and its relevance across generations and gender lines.
The Reach Art on Demand 4.1 Monograph
Originally exhibited in Abbotsford at The Reach Gallery Museum December 08, 2023 to January 27, 2024.
Originally exhibited in Abbotsford at The Reach Gallery Museum October 14, 2023 to December 02, 2023.
Originally exhibited in Abbotsford at The Reach Gallery Museum March 24, 2023 to May 06, 2023.
Originally exhibited in Abbotsford at The Reach Gallery Museum January 27, 2023 to March 18, 2023.
Originally exhibited in Abbotsford at The Reach Gallery Museum November 18, 2022 to January 08, 2023.
Originally exhibited in Abbotsford at The Reach Gallery Museum September 23, 2022 to November 12, 2022.
Originally exhibited in Abbotsford at The Reach Gallery Museum March 25, 2022 to May 07, 2022.
Originally exhibited in Abbotsford at The Reach Gallery Museum January 28, 2022 to March 19, 2022.
Originally exhibited in Abbotsford at The Reach Gallery Museum November 18, 2021 to January 08, 2022.
Originally exhibited in Abbotsford at The Reach Gallery Museum October 01, 2021 to November 13, 2021.
Originally exhibited in Abbotsford at The Reach Gallery Museum March 25, 2021 to May 08, 2021.
Originally exhibited in Abbotsford at The Reach Gallery Museum January 28, 2021 to March 20, 2021.
Originally exhibited in Abbotsford at The Reach Gallery Museum November 05, 2020 to January 09, 2021.
Originally exhibited in Abbotsford at The Reach Gallery Museum September 10, 2020 to November 01, 2020.
Originally exhibited in Abbotsford at The Reach Gallery Museum March 12, 2020 to April 26, 2020.
Originally exhibited in Abbotsford at The Reach Gallery Museum January 23, 2020 to March 08, 2020.
Originally exhibited in Abbotsford at The Reach Gallery Museum November 21, 2019 to January 05, 2020.
Originally exhibited in Abbotsford at The Reach Gallery Museum October 03, 2019 to November 17, 2019.
Originally exhibited in Abbotsford at The Reach Gallery Museum March 14, 2019 to May 05, 2019.
Originally exhibited in Abbotsford at The Reach Gallery Museum January 24, 2019 to March 10, 2019.
Originally exhibited in Abbotsford at The Reach Gallery Museum November 15, 2018 to January 06, 2019.
Originally exhibited in Abbotsford at The Reach Gallery Museum September 27, 2018 to November 10, 2018.
Originally exhibited in Abbotsford at The Reach Gallery Museum March 15, 2018 to May 06, 2018.
Originally exhibited in Abbotsford at The Reach Gallery Museum November 16, 2017 to December 31, 2017.
Originally exhibited in Abbotsford at The Reach Gallery Museum September 21, 2017 to November 12, 2017.
Originally exhibited in Abbotsford at The Reach Gallery Museum March 23, 2017 to May 07, 2017.
Originally exhibited in Abbotsford at The Reach Gallery Museum January 26, 2017 to March 19, 2017.
Originally exhibited in Abbotsford at The Reach Gallery Museum November 24, 2016 to January 08, 2017.
Originally exhibited in Abbotsford at The Reach Gallery Museum September 22, 2016 to November 20, 2016.
Originally exhibited in Abbotsford at The Reach Gallery Museum July 21, 2016 to September 11, 2016.
Originally exhibited in Abbotsford at The Reach Gallery Museum June 16, 2016 to July 17, 2016.
Originally exhibited in Abbotsford at The Reach Gallery Museum December 03, 2015 to January 03, 2016.
Originally exhibited in Abbotsford at The Reach Gallery Museum October 29, 2015 to November 29, 2015.
Originally exhibited in Abbotsford at The Reach Gallery Museum August 06, 2015 to September 06, 2015.
Originally exhibited in Abbotsford at The Reach Gallery Museum July 11, 2015 to August 02, 2015.
Originally exhibited in Abbotsford at The Reach Gallery Museum May 30, 2015 to July 05, 2015.
