Katie Bassett '08

HVCA write-up for Katie's exhibition:
Deeper Than Dark

Local artist, Katie Bassett from Bethel, CT will exhibit artworks at CityCenter Danbury part of the 2012 Accessible Art Project sponsored by the Housatonic Valley Cultural Alliance (HVCA). The work is a collection of mixed media charcoal drawings and paintings exploring the dark anima of identity and can be viewed at CityCenter Danbury, 186 Main Street during normal business hours from January 9 through February 16, 2012.

Katie produce's art that represents a woman's struggle through industrialized representations of clothing. The main concern is creating art that reflects the issues that effect today's women and exploring these fundamental issues that our society is facing through her art. Katie comes from a background of abuse and rejection and because of this it is crucial to her to produce work that brings this to light. She make's work that can be interpreted anywhere on the spectrum of beautiful to grotesque.

Her primary interest is sculpture which she creates out of various recycled materials using many techniques including painting and sewing. The paintings, like her sculptures, push the limits of what the materials will allow using bleach, dyes, acrylics; later tearing the canvas and sewing it back together. All of her work expresses the need to rebuild what has been destroyed by breaking preconceived rules of art, expression and materials. Typically all of her pieces are reflections of herself and her own inner turmoil. Essentially all of the pieces are unquestionably non-traditional self portraits; intensely personal and express an undying need to repair.

Katie Bassett was selected by a panel of representatives from the local community to display her work at CityCenter Danbury, one of four locations. HVCA has partnered with Danbury City Hall, City Center Danbury, Danbury Museum & Historical Society and FrameWorks in Newtown as part of the initiative. The project provides an opportunity for local artists to show their work in a variety of spaces that are accessible to the general public and to celebrate culture and art within the community.

Katie writes, "I talked about an opening and it is the artists decision. I believe I will be doing one at the end of january but haven't finalized the date yet. Ill let you know asap. Thanks!"