Marie Lannoo | In Extremis

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Marie Lannoo, “Essential Nothingness 4 (detail),” 2020

(courtesy of the Gallery)

As an abstract painter, Saskatoon-based Marie Lannoo has been applying layers of transparent acrylic colour on various support surfaces for more than three decades. Well-known as a conceptually groundbreaking non-objective painter, Lannoo is one of the few artists informed by a substantial knowledge base in both art and science to investigate light as the basis for her colour field paintings. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Lannoo returned to canvas as a support surface for the first time in 25 years with a tremendous level of freedom. She never predicted that a global pandemic and lockdown would open the creative floodgates to produce 36 of the most resonant works of her career. The resulting series of paintings in this touring solo exhibition facilitate a remarkably intimate level of experiential contact with the viewer.

Lannoo's decision-making in the studio became entirely intuitive with an unfiltered, direct connection to the painting process. It is difficult to describe this unique period of creative engagement other than in Lannoo’s own words: “In Extremis is an apt title for a body of work and a dedicated book that extends the illusive studio experience of the paintings. The studio was where I made the most profound connection with my materials and with my artistic self to embody the feelings of that connection in the work. When I was in this place of deep connection and feeling, time dissolved and slipped away. I also wanted to extend the connection to realize an innovative publication, to reproduce the true essence of my paintings in print media.” 

Lannoo has achieved what many painters strive for throughout their careers, that is, the controlled application of layers of colour that vibrate, pulsate, resonate, and radiate the energy of colour to create sensations of experience in the viewer. Light interacts with Lannoo’s skillfully rendered layers of transparent acrylic to change its luminosity. As the layers interact, the overall illumination of the colours is revealed. Lannoo’s skill in achieving an unparalleled luminosity and complexity in painting is the focus of In Extremis.

--- Wayne Baerwaldt, Guest Curator