Contracommon is proud to present ALLEGORY, an exhibition of works by Iris Rylander from January 13th to February 15th. The opening reception will be held at Contracommon on Saturday, January 14th from 6-9 pm, and is free and open to the public.
In this debut solo exhibition, Iris Rylander fills the gallery with over 100 works that meticulously record her experiences, reflections, and musings about her life. Iris hopes that by being vulnerable about her trauma, healing, and growth, the viewers will feel empowered to celebrate their own journeys and continue to grow and heal.
Iris uses the language of flowers and other symbolism to create narratives that represent her personal experiences, but also common human experiences. This body of work is a series of linoleum prints that depict images saturated in symbolism to incite a personal connection to the work. These prints are composed of a repeated tessellation in which different images fit. This allows her to reconstruct new compositions, creating new narratives. Iris’s process involves intensive research and examination of cultural values and the physicality of the subjects she depicts. She hopes that the viewer of these works feels not only invited to view the decorated surface of the paper, but compelled to dig deeper and find how their stories are mirrored. To help define this intention, Iris has paired her prints with animation, installation, and AR experience; making this an immersive experience.
In conjunction with Austin’s premier printmaking festival, Print Austin, this exhibition runs from January 13th to February 15th. Iris has invited storytellers of other mediums to share their work. While the show is up, Contracommon will host events every Saturday that include writers, musicians, comedians, and more. Additionally, Iris will be hosting two lino carving workshops: one on Sunday, January 22nd, and another on Sunday, February 5th.
ALLEGORY will be on view at the Contracommon Gallery from January 13th through February 15th. The gallery is open to the public Friday through Sunday from 12-6 pm, and weekdays by appointment. For more information, or to make appointments or donations, please visit contracommon.org.
