Reflecting Light (2021)
“I See You, You Are Reflecting Light” tryptic is one series in Caroline Rust's portfolio of gestural works that join garment remnants from her wardrobe and vintage collection with paint. The work highlights blouses, motivating to the artist for their femininity and subtlety of color and fabric weight. Seen in an alternative perspective, perhaps the blouses resemble mirrors with faces peering out. What if our faces were mirrors? Edith Wharton’s quote “there are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it” provides further inspiration. Lastly, this tryptic pays homage to a young woman from history named Czesława Kwoka. Looking into her striking eyes in a vintage photograph triggered immense empathy and an unwavering desire to gift her something of beauty.