Royse Contemporary Showcases Casey Wakefield’s ‘Soul Artifacts’

Local art gallery Royse Contemporary will showcase Casey Wakefield’s solo exhibition Soul Artifacts, highlighting the artist’s latest collection of mixed media abstract paintings, beginning Dec. 16. The essence of the artist’s work and this new collection is to “capture the intangible remnants of emotions, thoughts, and experiences, translating them onto canvas as interconnected and layered planes of expression. Wakefield’s work offers a truly contemplative and organic transformation of colors, drips, and marks captured in abstract form on canvas, that elicits and creates an emotional connection for someone.

Wakefield goes on to say that, “These artifacts serve as tangible evidence of the complex web of interactions and influences that exist beyond what meets the eye, allowing us to explore and appreciate the intricate connections and depths of our collective experiences.” 

The artist’s evocative use of color engages the viewers senses, creating compositions of color, some predictable and others unpredictable, with layers of acrylic ink, collage, acrylic paint, finished with oil paint. When asked about her art and creative process she explains that, “I find that the joy of painting is to watch the abstract emerge into something that evolves from the process and in the end creates an emotional connection for the viewer.”

Wakefield, who was raised in a small midwestern town in central Illinois, obtained her Master of Arts in Elementary Education from University of Phoenix and then went on to study painting at the Milan Art Institute, where she discovered her passion for color and letting the process of painting determine the outcome in abstract form. She is currently represented by Royse Contemporary. Her work has been featured in both national and international publications, including House & Garden and Phoenix Home & Garden.

An opening reception will be held on Dec. 16 from 6 to 9 p.m. The exhibit will be on display through Jan. 2, 2024.

7077 E. Main Street, Scottsdale, AZ 85251