Artist Biography
Chloe Serenko (she/they), is a multidisciplinary artist based in London, Ontario, who graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts—Honours Specialization in Studio Art from the University of Western Ontario. She has consistently achieved recognition throughout their emerging career; Serenko's work is included in many notable group, solo and juried exhibitions, such as her first solo show "The Waiting Room" at Good Sport Gallery in February 2024 and her graduate exhibition "Sincerely," at the artLAB Gallery in March 2024. Her curatorial projects such as "Midnight Oil" and "Nuit Violette" showcase her passionate commitment to community dialogue. Serenko is involved in professional affiliations like Forest City Gallery and Station Gallery. Chloe invites audiences to delve into the emotional and sentimental depths of the human experience through the allegorical narratives in her artwork, subtly emphasizing the significance of memory, self-reflection, and time in her pursuit of true creative freedom.
Artist Statement
" Through my artistic practice, I explore sculpture, installation, and painting, which streamline the intersection of religious iconography, the “everyday”, and the human form. My identity serves as a profound abundance of inspiration, manifesting in my work. I tend to allude to ideas such as self-worth, mental health, familial bonds, nuances of fishing culture, and the landscapes that define southern Ontario. These themes echo my internal struggle with the self, relationships, memory, body, gender, and soul.
Through my recent explorations, I delve into the realm of materiality and abstraction, finding inspiration from the expressionism/ early modernism movements. I find comfort in the combination of antique found objects, photographs and the transformative power of manipulated materials. With an unwavering focus on texture, complexity, and intention. I employ appropriate mediums to evoke visceral responses and provoke emotional contemplation through my work.
My artistic inspiration traces back to luminaries such as Francisco Goya, Egon Schiele, Francis Bacon, Kiki Smith, Billy Childish, and Peter Doig, whose works have left an indelible mark on my creative psyche. Drawing from the expressive fervour of the Expressionist movement and the pioneering spirit of early Modernists, I strive to imbue my practice with a sense of immediacy and authenticity, seeking to transcend the confines of tradition and chart new territories of artistic expression. In essence, my art serves as a conduit for introspection, a mirror reflecting the facets of the human experience and the everyday.
I hope that through my work, viewers are invited to embark on their own journey of self-discovery, confronting the complexities of existence with courage and compassion. "