Alayne Spafford

A preoccupation with dichotomy is central to the work of Alayne Spafford. Order is undermined by disorder, color is shadowed with darkness and text (though often a focal point) is oblique and meaning hangs as it should, satisfyingly beyond reach. The compartmentalized collections of motifs, text and number sequences read like graffiti, a language of unapologetic brush strokes, scribbles and color. Each element, while on its own arbitrary, ultimately becomes essential to the completed piece.

On a formal level, the artist uses an energetic approach of effused color, layered imagery and a painterly technique. The color palette ranges from intense, dense and somewhat moody to muted and understated. A rhythmic approach to texture, finely etched lines and lettering act to balance the strong use of color. An organic aesthetic that pays homage to modernists such as Fritz Hundertwasser, Paul Klee, Hans Hofmann, and the fearless language of Jean-Michel Basquiat. Although the pieces are challenging they are not hermetic and invite participation. A few footholds are provided to keep the work from being obscure and lend order to the melange of images. While each piece offers glimpses into the artist's world, the completed works remain open to interpretation.

Alayne Spafford received a Bachelor of Fine Arts with honours from the University of Saskatchewan. After studying textiles at Concordia University and the Centre de Metier d'art en construction textile in Montreal, she worked for five years in the costume department of Cirque du Soleil. She has shown her work in Saskatchewan, Quebec and Alberta.