Oasis 2006

Editor: Joan Snyder’s "Oasis," from 2006, uses acrylic and mixed media. I’m immediately drawn to the circular composition and the vibrant blues and reds. It feels like a visual representation of energy radiating outwards. What do you see in this piece? Curator: The term 'oasis' is interesting when viewing this painting. While seemingly abstract, it resonates deeply with visual symbols associated with life and refuge. Notice the concentrated blues and greens at the center; could this represent water, the source of life? Then, there's this sense of movement outward; what feeling does this evoke? Editor: I get a sense of blossoming or growth. Like something is expanding and flourishing from the central point outwards. The concentric circles suggest a ripple effect. Curator: Precisely. The ‘ripple effect’ could also be the radiating impact and consequences of an event or series of emotions. What could be symbolized by the placement and colors of these visual markers? Editor: The bursts of red disrupt the blues and greens, they feel…almost disruptive. Is this sense of unease intentional, disrupting what appears harmonious? Curator: Snyder uses a lot of symbolic meaning throughout her ouevre. She reclaims those images which had historically been denied, invalidated, or dismissed. There’s also this inherent connection to water; it doesn't exist in a vacuum. There's that cyclical rhythm between inner serenity and disruptions caused by internal or external forces. Editor: So, perhaps the “oasis” isn’t just a place of tranquility, but also a site where those forces converge and interact. The abstraction can then signify anything in this push and pull, personal, emotional, or social! Curator: Exactly. It’s this intricate layering of symbols and abstract forms that gives it lasting power. Snyder lets us question what imagery truly projects in art and memory. Editor: I learned so much! I originally perceived serenity in "Oasis", I now see a world with complexities.