Vanessa Maltese

The intimate, illusive work of Toronto-born artist Vanessa Maltese takes inspiration from Op Art, architecture and the work of postminimalist artist Richard Tuttle. Engaging with formal elements, she layers the dimensions of each piece to correspond with a variety of geometric motifs. Perforations, peepholes and optically disorienting shifts in perspective interact to form hypothetical still lifes—patterns and motifs repeat in first, second and third dimensions, giving her subject matter the sensation of floating.  Her sculptural works embody a sense of movement that borders on kinetic, occupying the space that surrounds them with a confrontational significance.

Vanessa Maltese is the National Winner of the 2012 RBC Canadian Painting Competition, and has exhibited her work internationally. Most recently Maltese was included in shows at Nicelle Beauchene Gallery, New York, Halsey Mckay, East Hampton, Cooper Cole, Toronto, and Erin Stump Projects, Toronto. Maltese has held residencies at Vermont Studio Center, Johnson, VT, and wallwallwallwall, Jackson, WY.