Julia Wheatley’s ‘It Left an Ugly Mark’: Music-Inspired Gem Paintings Sparkle at Soho’s Fana Jewelry Exhibition

Julia Wheatley's 'It Left an Ugly Mark': Music-Inspired Gem Paintings Sparkle at Soho's Fana Jewelry Exhibition

Step into a world where melody becomes visible and rhythm takes form. In this unique exhibition, Julia Wheatley invites us on a journey through the landscape of music, as seen through her eyes and felt through her brush. Each painting in this collection is born from a song that has left a mark on the Wheatley’s soul. The exhibition’s title, “It Left an Ugly Mark: The Beauty and Blemish of Matters of the Heart”, is inspired by Leonard Cohen’s poem “Happens to the Heart” and speaks to the overarching theme of how we deal with heartbreak and how we remember those we hold or once held dear. The six paintings in this series are titled for the song that inspired them and Wheatley has wide-ranging musical taste! From Bob Dylan’s “Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright” to “Young and Beautiful” by Lana Del Rey, there is a song for every generation to relate to.

Wheatley’s interpretation of these songs translates onto the canvas in the form of gems, a fitting subject for an exhibition displayed in a jewelry store. She is using jewels as a representation of “The perfect cut, the perfect moment, the perfect person, these types of things can be distorted through our own memory and also through our own lived experiences.”

"Sound and Color," a visual interpretation of the Alabama Shakes song, invites us to contemplate the myriad paths our lives might take. This sapphire-hued piece serves as a metaphor for the way we navigate the world, discovering ourselves through the choices we make.

The artwork speaks to the concept of life as a series of decisions, each altering our trajectory in subtle or profound ways. By incorporating elements that evoke film negatives, Wheatley cleverly alludes to the varying levels of clarity and distortion in our memories. These "negatives" represent the alternate lives we might have led—the roads not taken, the choices unmade.

Wheatley's creative process is as intriguing as the finished piece. She begins with a collage, a medium that allows for spontaneity and experimentation. This initial stage, with its abundance of choices, rough edges, and bold juxtapositions, serves as a foundation for the painting to come. The collage work taps into a sense of childlike wonder, lowering the barriers to creativity and allowing for a more intuitive approach to composition. The transition from collage to canvas is where Wheatley's artistry truly shines. She translates the dynamic elements of her paper constructions into paint, preserving the energy of cut edges and bold color combinations. The result is a painting that retains the vivacity of its collage origins while achieving a new level of refinement.

Fascinatingly, Wheatley's immersion in her work extends to her auditory environment. Throughout the entire creative process, from the initial collage to the final brushstroke, she listens exclusively to the song that inspired the piece. This dedication to a single track creates a unique synergy between sound and vision, allowing the music to permeate every aspect of the artwork.

"Sound and Color" thus becomes more than a mere depiction of a sapphire or an homage to a beloved song. It's a multi-layered exploration of choice, memory, and the intricate interplay between music and visual art. It reminds us of the beauty in our power to shape our own paths, even as we acknowledge the infinite possibilities of lives unlived.

In "Young and Beautiful," Wheatley draws inspiration from Lana Del Rey's haunting melody, famously featured in "The Great Gatsby." This piece serves as a poignant exploration of love's temporal nature, spanning past, present, and future, while capturing that universal moment when we collectively implore the cosmos to pause its relentless march.

She eloquently observes, "We don't know how much time we have with everyone but we do know there are those special moments and special people in our lives that we want to hold onto." This sentiment forms the emotional core of the artwork, encapsulating our deep-seated desire to preserve the ephemeral.

The piece delves into the bittersweet reality of human connection: our awareness of time's finite nature juxtaposed against our yearning for eternal moments. It's a visual representation of those rare instances and cherished individuals we desperately wish to preserve, forever young and beautiful in our mind's eye.

Wheatley's creation resonates with the exhibition's overarching theme, grappling with life's progression in the face of inevitable disappointment and mortality. The artwork acknowledges the fragility of perfect moments, always shadowed by the looming specter of their imminent conclusion. Yet, it's precisely this impermanence that imbues these experiences with such profound beauty and significance. Through her artistry, Wheatley captures the essence of embracing life's fleeting nature. "Young and Beautiful" encourages us to treasure these imperfect, transient moments precisely because of their ephemeral quality. It's a reminder that true beauty lies not in perfection or permanence, but in our capacity to find joy and meaning in the face of life's inherent impermanence.

This piece stands as a testament to human resilience and our ability to find wonder in the world, even as we navigate the complexities of aging, loss, and the inevitable passage of time. It invites viewers to reflect on their own treasured moments and special people, encouraging a deeper appreciation for the beauty found in life's imperfections and temporality.

Opening tomorrow at 6pm, "It Left an Ugly Mark" finds its home in Fana Jewelry, Soho, a fitting venue that echoes the neighborhood's artistic heritage. This exhibition, with Julia Wheatley's melody-inspired paintings, seeks to rekindle the area's creative spirit, harmonizing with the glittering gems that surround it. Visitors are invited to reflect on the songs that have shaped their own journeys as they explore these painted melodies. While each individual may hear the music differently, all are united by the shared rhythm of human experience.

The exhibition stands as a testament to the harmonious connection between art, music, and the collective symphony of life. It celebrates not only the visual and auditory senses but also the precious moments and people that leave indelible marks on one's existence. In this convergence of sight and sound, amidst painted canvases and precious stones, the exhibition offers a moment to pause and appreciate the beauty of imperfection and the lasting impact of fleeting moments.