Cindy Shaoul

May 15 - June 4, 2014

- INSTALLATION VIEW -

Lilac Gallery New York is pleased to present, “BREAKING THE GLASS”, an exhibition of works by Cindy Shaoul.

Most of our immediate feelings upon seeing shattered or broken glass are that of unease. This is most likely due to the fact that the only times we really see it are during an accident or unfortunate situation, for example a car crash, robbery, etc.

A few years back in 2011, artist Cindy Shaoul endured a car robbery, following which she experienced ongoing sensations of sadness, anger, frustration, and chaos. When the time came to replace her windshield glass, she thought to herself:  “This glass is beautiful, why would I clean up the pieces to just throw it away? I can do something beautiful with this!” In this collection, Cindy’s goal was to transform trauma and the negativity we associate broken glass with, to beauty, art, creativity, and inspiration. She wanted to deliver the message that broken glass can come to symbolize survival and triumph as much as it can danger and misfortune. “If we really dig around, and put the pieces back together, we can create art.”  In this collection, this is precisely what Cindy did. She turned a potentially traumatic life event into motivation to deliver her message artistically.  “In every potential loss or dangerous situation, there’s also a potential for triumph and beauty.” She hopes that the public can appreciate this collection of art and maybe transform a misfortunate event in their own lives to try and see the beauty in it, like Cindy has in creating these pieces of art.  

Having built a diverse body of work since her early career ranging from portraits to abstract paintings of the universe, Cindy has unearthed a new collection rooted deeply in the study of natural shapes, textures, and a new medium: glass. Having traveled and lived in different parts of the world, her experiences have brought new weight to the ideas which are exhibited in her works today: a connection to simple details and earth like materials. Cindy captures moments in each piece that are tranquil, raw, and detached. These new works exude light, a grounded backdrop, and hints of earth like gold materials which resemble concrete and stone; close to the nature of both the natural earth and manmade elements of New York City.

Shaoul lives and works in New York City, NY.