Artist(s): Karen Finley
Date: October 30, 2003-November 15, 2003
In 2003 Karen Finley came back to The Kitchen after 11 years to explore trance in her Psychic Portraits. Finley conducted an intuitive reading of the sitter’s “psychic emanations” which she then transferred to a 10 x 15" gouache or iridescent portrait in a process she described as automatic drawing and that likens Surrealist automatism. The intrinsic bond created by this kind of work had a huge emotional impact on Finley. “The trust involved makes me cry”. She says, “that the person allows me to go there, to look, to feel that mystery.” Finley says she hopes every person that walks away from the sittings feels like they were seen on the inside rather than looked at. The portraits were exhibited in The Kitchen's gallery through November 10, 2003, and then returned to their subjects