Catherine Labonte, Home Sweet Home, 2008. Glass, wood. H 14 1/2, W 9, D 10 in. courtesy: www.catherinelabonte.com
In her production line of glass figurines, Catherine Labonté‘s cartoon animal characters have an easy likeability that at times make them seem more gift-shop than Jeff Koons commentary on kitsch. But in her sculptural work of bell jar assemblages, Labonté’s characters and scenarios take on more thought-provoking aspects, though never escaping the whimsical quality of her cartoon-inspired aesthetic.
Her use of the bell-jar form, with an opened drawer often supplying a visual punchline, is at times unexpectedly poignant.
At 5:30 PM tonight, the CREA Gallery in Montreal will host an opening for a solo exhibition of Catherine Labonté’s newest work. On her website, the artist writes that she hopes “to create objects that evoke laughter and wonder in order to lighten the heart.”
IF YOU GO:
Catherine Labonté January 21st, 2010, 5:30 PM — 8 PMCREA GALLERY 350 rue St-Paul, East Montreal Telephone: 514 861-2787, ext. 316 Website
