A grouping of islands, which exist in both the literal and metaphorical realms, comprise the new body of work by Sydney Chastain-Chapman. The space in each painting was conceived as an island, each one a place where the inhabitants have created their own world, for better or for worse. Sydney indulges us by creating wondrous environments for the characters in her paintings, giving us glimpses into her thoughts and theirs. The work allows the viewer the possibility of imaginary escape, though an underlying sense of unease pervades. The imagery is reminiscent of a dream, figures and pieces fit together, but one is not sure why or how. In these fantastical, seemingly desultory arrangements, Sydney has actually carefully dictated the creation of every island. With visual references to subjects as varied (yet interconnected) as environmental disaster; domestic life in absurd locations; obsessive collecting and perfecting; and the ways people connect to each other, and disconnect from each other; these islands and their inhabitants straddle a fine line between utopia and dystopia.

Sydney Chastain-Chapman currently lives and works in Hoboken, NJ. This will be Sydney’s third solo exhibition at Kravets/Wehby Gallery. Her work has been recently featured in Art World and she was included in the exhibition The Incomplete Paris at Galerie Jean Luc Richard, curated by Hubert Neumann.