【Introduction】
Varda Caivano’s paintings stretch one’s imagination. They are highly seductive, yet deny any simplistic interpretation. Improvisation and orientation, abstract and figurative, and materiality and illusionism. These opposite elements exist next to each other in Caivano’s paintings. Her paintings are deliberately unfinished, being bestowed unlimited possibilities.
For Caivano, painting is “a way of questioning images, where visible objects with a secret depth appear to reveal a kind of irrational truth” (the artist comment). How she paints, which she describes as “a child” or “invent a recipe”, the process of it, is the very core of her practice. Infinite textures, tones, and moods created in the process embrace the rich lyricism.
Caivano, who studied art history, has stated “as a painter, each time you pick up a brush, you are convoking art history and painting” and “you are having conversations with other artists”. She seems to acquire her inner voice and energy more strongly through these conversations.
Her inquiry seems to be unending. That is very reason why her paintings interest us so powerfully, and they liberate the relationships the viewers make with them.

【Concept】
Tomio Koyama Gallery Kyoto is pleased to present Varda Caivano’s first exhibition in Japan. For Caivano, the exhibition space is “the frame of the painting and it affects how it is perceived”. Her relatively small sized paintings are exhibited based on how they are related, and how they have the conversations, arguments and resolutions. Approximately 13 paintings will be exhibited.