Vertical Gallery, Laura Catherwood follow the trail of ‘All Things Stirring’

Vertical Gallery is very proud to present 'All Things Stirring,' the latest solo exhibition from Chicago-based painter and illustrator Laura Catherwood.

‘All Things Stirring,’ which runs June 7-29 at 2006 W. Chicago Ave. #1R, transports viewers into the heart of the fractured-folklore realm mapped out via Catherwood’s previous Vertical Gallery outings ‘The Book of Yielding’ (2022) and ‘Hearsay’ (2023). Its roughly two-dozen oil paintings and pencil drawings offer an immersive walking tour through an alternate reality where flora, fauna and fantasy collide in unexpected and uncanny ways.

“I want to soothe people through my art, and when I’m feeling distressed in my own life, I take walks. Walking in nature gets you closest to remembering that you’re just one small part of an interconnected world, and that eventually you will be re-absorbed into it. For me, nature is a refuge, and I want ‘All Things Stirring’ to put you there,” Catherwood explains. “‘Book of Yielding’ felt like a book. Those paintings and drawings were meant to resemble nature history diagrams and vintage nature illustrations. These new paintings and illustrations are slightly larger than lifesize, and offer a different perspective, like you’re navigating through tall grass and branches.” 

‘All Things Stirring’ gathers inspiration from Taoism, which emphasizes living in harmony with the Tao, the natural way of the universe. “Taoism is another kind of walk. It translates to ‘the way’ — it’s the route, or the trail,” Catherwood notes. “Taoism is about impermanence and letting go. It was a big inspiration for titling the pieces in the show. The title ‘All Things Stirring’ itself comes from the Tao Te Ching: ‘While all things are stirring together, I only contemplate the return. For flourishing as they do, each of them return to its root.’ The point is that you’re here right now. You’re on the walk. All the things stirring is the experience of life, and you have to enjoy it.”

Catherwood abandoned a career in neuroscience research to pursue a life in art, and after completing her studies at the School of Representational Art and Atelier Eftimov, in 2016 she began exhibiting her work in group shows, producing her first solo exhibition ‘Jalan Jalan’ two years later. In addition to her Vertical solo exhibits, Catherwood has contributed to many of the gallery’s group shows. She has also had a solo showcase in Portland, and shown in exhibitions in Miami, Philadelphia, Portsmouth and New Zealand.

Laura Catherwood
'All Things Stirring'
June 7 - 29, 2024
Opening reception: Friday, June 7th, 5:00-8:00pm
Vertical Gallery, 2006 W Chicago Ave #1R