Beautiful Bizarre 032

Beautiful Bizarre Magazine is a quarterly contemporary art magazine for artists, enthusiasts, collectors and galleries.

The special March 2021 issue of Beautiful Bizarre Magazine is a “Women Artists” issue – in celebration of International Women’s day.

Inside this special ‘Women Artists’ issue, we delve into Canadian contemporary pop urban artist Sandra Chevier’s female superhero paintings which are a reminder that fragility and its depiction can be empowering and honest, a way of seeing yourself as the flawed yet powerful person you are. A visual reminder that our flaws can be our strength, reminding us to persevere and look for hope in the complex world we find ourselves in, and to break from limitations imposed on us by society. We learn about the powerful photographic work of Ingrid Baars and how she discovered that she could make a difference through her art, by elevating black beauty and empowering black women.

We also take a look at Harmonia Rosales’ renaissance inspired paintings that ask a very important question: “Renaissance paintings have been defined by society as priceless and untouchable. These depictions of traditional beauty are white and exclusionary. I’ve always looked at those paintings and asked, ‘What about me? What about people of colour?’ Our story and our beauty can be just as beautiful and priceless.”

Rachael Bridge’s portraiture crafts a dark cinematic experience and immerses the viewer in interpretations of the human condition and powerful emotions evoked by colour and light. Next we visit Rose Freymuth-Frazier’s New York City studio, and chat to her about what life was like living and working in NYC during COVID last year, and her psychotherapy “On The Couch” series.

While not to be missed are the paintings of Australian painter Vanessa Stockard, whose paintings have garnered an almost cult-like following for those who share a particular
predilection for mischief and charm. Look closely at each of her paintings and see if you can find #kevinthekittin.

Immerse yourself in monochromatic visions and depictions of societal angst in the intricate work of modern-day soothsayer Laurie Lipton. With only charcoal and graphite, Laurie turns blank paper into a satirical creed that warns us about the dissolution of truth and the expiry of human integrity.

Then fall deeper down the rabbit hole of imagination as we explore Laurie Lee Brom’sWindow series which took on a more universal meaning as lockdowns became the norm throughout 2020, and many of us found ourselves mirroring these women. The whole world seemed to be standing behind the glass, looking out and waiting for what came next.

As well in Issue 32 of Beautiful Bizarre Magazine, we take a look at Maryam Gohar’s paintings which artfully represent populations that are stigmatised, marginalised or otherwise entirely dismissed. We also delve into the work of Polish born photographer Iness Rychlik, who, in addition to her myopia, embraces her skin disease and uses it “as a canvas of expression rather than an ugly inconvenience”.

Beautiful Bizarre Magazine #32

March 2021

136 pages