Exhibition - Melissa Beth Floyd: Now What

Melissa Beth Floyd’s art juxtaposes satire and reality through a vibrant exploration of identity and societal norms. Her paintings blend portraiture and caricature with a critical eye, creating figures that play exaggerated roles in their environments. In something of an antithesis to Norman Rockwell’s idealized spaces and characters, Floyd confronts and deconstructs the tensions associated with changes in the modern era. Drawing on historic portraiture and contemporary sources, Floyd’s work invites viewers to question conventions while finding joy in the absurd.Her portraits, often tinged with irony, encourage viewers to laugh while reflecting on deeper truths. By recontextualizing images of women, she creates a dialogue between bygone days and modernity, challenging how identity is constructed and performed.Floyd’s technique is marked by a dynamic interplay of form, shape, and color, amplifying the satirical and humorous tone of her work. She employs exaggerated shapes and rich primary color palettes to highlight the quirks and contradictions of her subjects. Her brushwork ranges from loose, gestural strokes to precise, detailed nuances, melding spontaneity and control. This approach heightens the emotional impact of her scenes and portraits while underscoring the absurdity and complexity of the experiences she seeks to depict.Melissa Beth Floyd pushes the boundaries of portraiture, using humor and satire to engage with the world around her. Her work reminds us that art can be both playful and profound, offering a space for reflection and resistance. By blending the familiar with the unexpected, Floyd invites us to see ourselves-and our society-in new and often surprising ways.

Exhibition Opening Celebration May 1, 2025 5:30-7:30pm

Registration is requested but not required.

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