Catherine Lecce-Chong
White Blindness Series
The Isolation Icons
Lighting
Star LED String
Medium
Acrylic mixed media
Representation
Iconography
Cobalt Blue Virgin, shown
Artist’s Statement
White Blindness
This tactile series is called “White Blindness.” This is a reference to the pain and vision loss when encountering bright light. At this time of social isolation, my reaction was to seek refuge in the great teachers and leaders of history. So I created the “Isolation Icons” as part of the “White Blindness” series.
I chose a large square shape of 36 inches by 36 inches. It’s large enough for a portrait, and I can still hold it in my arms.
The titles of these stretched canvas tactile paintings start with the name of the principal colored paint, and then I match that color with an iconic image. The under paintings are primarily pure saturated color. I use stencils, tape, or string to make simple shapes that are outlined in thick paint, and then use fingers or brushes to help me feel the edges of the image. Then I use collage or textured paint for the images. After that, I follow those colored texture areas with many multiple transparent white glazes. The only pure color is left at the edges or in small details of the canvas’s image. The perspective is flat like old religious icons. I use symbols, letters, words and numbers. Sometimes these are upside down to denote ignorance of information, mystery, or even danger.
Since I am a certified insight meditation teacher, I also embed meditation directions in Braille using transparent plastic sheets.
It is not unusual for me to also use multi-cultural or multi-racial imagery, as that is my experience of life and art.
Ultimately, everyone seeks safety, health and respect. I am doing the same through these paintings. I do them as an act of simplicity, contemplation and even devotion. May others find rest with these paintings.
Cobalt Blue Virgin
The large, heavy-duty stretched canvas was just the right size for portraits that I could I could hold (actually hug) in my isolation of blindness, and then in the pandemic. This painting started new resources for me personally. She was the beginning of the “Isolation Icons.”
Quinacridone Gold Guru
A guru is a teacher, but not an ordinary teacher. This is a kind being who introduces you to your true nature and its compassion.
I am grateful to all teachers, that I have ever had. Yes, there is pain, sadness and grief, but one does not need to suffer.
Dioxazine Purple King
I chose this square because of its association with the earth. Many of our painting pigments are from the earth. In addition, squares feel stable and peaceful to me. It is large enough to do a portrait but small enough to hold in my arms.
Micaceous Iron Oxide W. P. Mankiller
This 36-inch square tactile painting celebrates an extraordinary female chief of the Cherokee nation. I chose the earthy, rough, blackish-grey paint that sparkles with mica particles for this iconic, earthy indigenous leader.
Green Gold Good Shepherd
This 36-inch square portrait is based on the good shepherd dome mosaic at the Galla Placidia, Ravenna, Italy. I still have a great love and memory for art history. In this mosaic, the body is seated in a twist: the face is forward, but the upper body is facing left, and the lower body is facing right.
Green Gold Good Shepherd
This 36-inch square portrait is based on the good shepherd dome mosaic at the Galla Placidia, Ravenna, Italy. I still have a great love and memory for art history. In this mosaic, the body is seated in a twist: the face is forward, but the upper body is facing left, and the lower body is facing right.
Quinacridone Crimson Chavez y Huerta
This 36-inch square tactile acrylic painting has an underpainting of crimson which in full strength can seem the color of blood and when blended with white, it becomes a vivid pink. The dark crimson of the underpainting is only seen at the 2” border of the painting.
Quinacridone Crimson Chavez y Huerta
This 36-inch square tactile acrylic painting has an underpainting of crimson which in full strength can seem the color of blood and when blended with white, it becomes a vivid pink. The dark crimson of the underpainting is only seen at the 2” border of the painting.
Iridescent Gold Helen Keller
The 36” x 36” acrylic mixed media painting depicts Helen Keller, a deaf and blind woman, who has been portrayed in movies in many countries. “The Miracle Worker” is both a play and movie in the USA, and a Bollywood movie in India titled, “Black,” has depicted this icon.
Turquoise Sky, Cherry Blossom Eyes
This tactile acrylic painting is a Jungian portrait investigation. It is 36″ x 36″. The under painted layer is green and blue turquoise. It is a reference to my love of the southwest United States native culture, but also the sky and waters of the southwest and California.
Turquoise Sky, Cherry Blossom Eyes
This tactile acrylic painting is a Jungian portrait investigation. It is 36″ x 36″. The under painted layer is green and blue turquoise. It is a reference to my love of the southwest United States native culture, but also the sky and waters of the southwest and California.