Quantum leap

By Caroline Elias, Arts Contributor

Halifax born artist Katherine Vingoe- Cram is bringing a whole new dimension to her paintings. latest exhibition Portals consists of six oil paintings, each portraying a seemingly normal situation. But within each painting lies a discrepancy that indicates to the viewer that all is not right. Each piece has an element that creates a feeling of unease within the viewer.

The white walls of the gallery create a stark contrast with the dark paintings. This adds to the sense of mystery in the work. The windows of the gallery leading to the outside world also emphasize the “unfinished” aspect of the paintings. The small space the paintings find themselves in brings the work closer together, despite the fact that each painting portrays a different moment in time; a woman standing near a tree, a house with a pink room, the inside of a bedroom, a bonfire, a boat house and a gas station.

Every piece has a window to the unknown; an unexplained shadow, a room with a missing wall, a claustrophobic space, a window to and from nowhere. They each create a feeling of discomfort.

In a description posted in the gallery, Vingoe-Cram says she aims to show “points into other realities and dimensions.” And this is exactly what she does.

The artist includes portals into other worlds through specific moments of everyday life. She manages to capture normal moments and turn them into unsettling ones.

This exhibition was enjoyable and stimulating, and a great success for Katherine Vingoe-Cram.