Flowers on the wall

By SHOLEM KRISHTALKA

Ever since Warhol, Liechtenstein, Koons and company popped on to the art world's radar screen, the word "kitsch" has become a loaded adjective. It's one of those words that's not entirely a compliment, implying that the art in front of you isn't to be taken entirely seriously.

Robbin Deyo's work, large-scale encaustic and cold-wax paintings can be seen in her solo show, Wallflowers, at Maison de la culture Côte-des-Neiges. The exhibit could easily be mistaken for kitsch at first glance; a closer look reveals complex colour and composition, as well as a deep and subtle exploration of feminine archetypes and stereotypes. Encaustic is an exacting medium, and Deyo's mastery of it is evident; she gives us beautiful patterns, fierce, lush colours, and a mature concept, all without pretension. All in all, a body of work that demands to be taken seriously. At 5290 Côte-des-Neiges, until Sept. 24.

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