Fragments of Existence
Araminta Blue, Lavinia Harrington, Ruth Speer and Pia Ortuno
Curated by Josephine May Bailey
12th of September - 12th of October
Private View 12th of September 6-8pm
Soho Revue is proud to present Fragments of Existence, an interdisciplinary exhibition curated by Josephine May Bailey, opening on September 12th and running through post-Frieze October 12th. The exhibition explores the concept of fragmentation, highlighting how disjointed memories, narratives, and materials converge to shape our understanding of the world and ourselves.
Bringing together the works of Araminta Blue, Pia Ortuño, Lavinia Harrington, and Ruth Speer, “Fragments of Existence” invites viewers to engage with the fragmented nature of experience, resonating with themes of materiality, formal qualities, and storytelling.
Araminta Blue navigates the tension between imagined and real spaces through her dynamic oil paintings. Her practice is distinguished by its fluidity, moving between ethereal washes and dense, clay-like textures that challenge the traditional boundaries of the medium. Blue’s fragmented figures, often caught between moments of vulnerability and strength, reflect on the fragility of human experience. Her works evoke a sense of transience, capturing figures that seem to dissolve and reform, mirroring the elusive nature of memory and perception.
Pía Ortuño, a Costa Rican artist based in London, creates large-scale wood panel paintings using raw pigments, salt, and found rusted objects. Her recent works are characterized by repeated block forms, which she uses to explore the physical and conceptual aspects of fragmentation. These blocks, sometimes literally broken apart, serve as a metaphor for the disjointed nature of personal and collective experiences. Ortuño’s work speaks to the transformative power of materials, where the integration of raw, weathered objects suggests a dialogue between natural decay and artistic creation.
Lavinia Harrington, an Italian-British artist and recent MFA graduate from the Slade School of Fine Art, engages with the emotional potential of soft materials, such as pastels and paper. Her practice is deeply rooted in the exploration of care, empathy, and the body's ability to store and process trauma. Harrington’s work often features delicate, tactile surfaces that evoke a visceral response, inviting viewers to connect with the vulnerability and resilience that define human existence. Her compositions, both abstract and figurative, are imbued with a sense of intimacy that challenges traditional representations of the body and emotion.
Ruth Speer, who is based between the US and London, employs a multidisciplinary approach that encompasses painting, sculpture, and installation. Her work draws heavily on mythology, portraiture, and intricate detail, weaving personal and mythical narratives with elements from the natural world. Speer’s intricate compositions challenge the viewer to reconsider the ways in which stories are told, blending traditional and contemporary techniques to create a visual language that is both familiar and novel. Her works act as portals to otherworldly realms, where fragmented elements come together to form cohesive, yet ever-shifting, narratives.
