Danae.
Anastasia Mastilovic’s painting Danae may be named after a figure in Greek mythology, but her style makes the figure evocative of more. The woman could be a goddess or a mermaid. She could be in repose, or unleashing magical powers. Or perhaps it’s all a metaphor, about power, latent and dynamic, and how it can be used to transform the world.
Mastilovic’s painting is part of “Spring Quartet,” a “group show featuring four talented emerging artists from the Connecticut area. This exhibition is a celebration of the vibrant art scene in our community,” an accompanying note explains. “Join us in celebrating the arrival of spring with this inspiring exhibition.” The celebratory tone of the show — running at Da Silva Gallery on Whalley Avenue in Westville through May 31 — arises from the art itself, as each of the four artists relishes bold lines, flashes of color, and vivid canvases, the cumulative effect of which makes the Da Silva Gallery pop like a wildflower meadow in full bloom.
Born in Moscow and raised in New York, Mastilovic’s art “blends fantasy and reality,” an accompanying bio explains. “Her recent paintings incorporate bright neon colors as a way to heal mental wounds from traumatic experiences, such as the war in Ukraine.” That sense of confronting pain and figuring out how to move on from it appears in the artwork of others in the show as well.
Accumulation 2.
Alison Cofrancesco’s vibrant canvases at first seem almost abstract, until your eye discerns what the objects are. In the case of Accumulation 2, it’s a still life of garbage, which feels like a wry commentary on both the tradition of still-life painting and the state of things in the 21st century. The New Haven native’s “pieces delve into the complex meanings of objects, accumulation, and trash,” her bio explains. “Her cityscapes, which frequently feature the New Haven area, examine the history of the region and explore the idea of visual noise in the constructed environment.” But Cofrancesco’s work isn’t only commentary. By making art from what she finds around her, she’s already finding a way to put those objects to use.
Bianca Petti
Swishy Fishy.
Both artists find a kindred spirit in Bianca Petti, whose art “explores movement, intersection, connection, and bright, energetic colors through an intuitive approach to art-making,” her bio explains. It also offers the intriguing detail that “her art reflects her upbringing in New Haven,” suggesting that Petti is keyed into the energy that makes the Model City a place that is often in flux, tearing down and rebuilding, redefining itself.
In a similar vein, artist Jessica Brown turns to nature for ideas, with generative results. “She draws inspiration from beetles, which symbolize strength, endurance, and perseverance in the face of adversity and change,” her bio reads. “While printmaking is a current focus of hers, she also incorporates other types of media, such as photography, into her works. Jessica’s love of learning and pursuit of knowledge has led her to break through the barriers between mediums, making her the mixed-media artist she is today.” Brown’s work adds a layer to the word “emerging” used to group together the young artists in the show: that each of them is embracing change, following where it takes them, with color in seasonal abundance.
“Spring Quartet” runs at Da Silva Gallery, 897 Whalley Ave., through May 31. Visit the gallery’s website for hours and more information.