The heart and soul are two “essential aspects of humanity,” says Upstate mixed media artist Robyn Crawford. That’s why she and artist Lady Pluuto came together to present a joint exhibition, “Heart & Soul: A Celebration of Love and Spirit,” Feb. 6 through March 2 in Gallery II of the Artists Collective | Spartanburg.
Lady Pluuto’s art includes acrylic and oil paints, digital paintings and murals.
The reception with the artists will be held Thursday, Feb. 15, in conjunction with ArtWalk Spartanburg.
“We would like to invite our visitors into an immersive experience to explore how the heart and soul are interconnected and what it means to be human,” Crawford says. “When we met, we knew we had a lot in common with our subject matter, styles, colors and spiritual connections. Our work meshes quite well together.
“We know there is a profound link between these two essential aspects of humanity,” she continues. “The heart, often associated with emotions, desires and passion, intertwines with the soul, representing our essence, spirituality and deeper consciousness. Through various media, we seek to depict the interplay between the heart and soul, unveiling the depth and complexity of their relationship. Each artwork in this collection is an invitation to contemplate the intimate connection between emotional experiences and our spiritual journey.”
Lady Pluuto says, “The heart is the vessel through which emotions flow, and it is closely tied to our experiences, relationships and personal growth. The soul often is considered the essence of who we are, our true self. It encompasses our deepest desires, purpose and connection to something greater than ourselves. It carries our values, beliefs and morals guiding our choices and actions. The soul is eternal and transcendent.”
This is the first exhibit the two have done together, so they decided to include a collaborative piece they both worked on called “Soul Portal.”
“We both have put our own hearts and souls into creating this body of work, so we hope visitors will be able to see and feel that,” Crawford says, adding that the exhibit is “perfect” for February, “when many of us are thinking about love and connection. Grab a special someone and come see it together.
The pieces in the exhibit will include vibrant colors and various media, “to capture the emotions that emerge from the depth of our hearts,” she adds. “The artworks evoke a sense of play and vulnerability celebrating the range of human emotions that shape our existence. By doing so, we want to inspire viewers to connect with their own hearts and recognize the power of emotional landscapes. We hope people can feel lighter, joyful, and more connected to each other and to their own heart and soul.”
Lady Pluuto was born Alana Hall in Austell, Georgia, and now is based in Spartanburg. “As a self-taught artist, I learned a lot of valuable advice from watching other great artists. Painting is more than just creating art for me, it’s therapy. I paint mostly from intuition, which allows me to release dark thoughts and negative emotions, then redirect that energy in a healthy, beautiful way. Because of this, creating art plays a major role along my spiritual journey.”
Crawford, who studied at Emerson College, Massachusetts College of Art, and Rochester Institute of Technology’s School of Photographic Arts and Sciences, says her mixed media art helps her to always explore and play with multiple media and develop techniques of her own. “My current obsessions are a combination of acrylic, resin, stones, crystals, other found objects and alcohol inks. My work celebrates the unique beauty of color and combines it with the shimmer and sparkle of crystals for an unforgettable visual experience. I strive to create pieces that evoke emotion, beauty, and spirit. By promoting the joy of exploration, I hope my work will inspire the viewer to appreciate the color and luminescence of crystals and the elusive essence of the magic of light.”
Both artists have been members of the Artist Collective | Spartanburg – Lady Pluuto for five years and Crawford for two. “We love being members of the Collective and having the opportunity to meet other artists, make new friends, and even collaborate together. We are both thrilled to be able to plan this show together and make it come alive.”
Pieces in the exhibition will be available for purchase, with prices ranging from $30 to $2,000; admission to the gallery is free.