Allison Lasley: Rome Journals

In Lasley’s hands, collage serves another purpose as well. It reminds us that the city of Rome is a kind of collage itself, woven together from stones, fountains and building remnants from different periods of time. The whole city has the same sense of serendipity and gerry rigged structure that mark this mesmerizing tapestry of small paintings.

Removed from their place of origin, the “Rome Journals” become more universal. One need not know the exact facade or street corner which inspired each section to share the emotional resonance of the experience which brought it forth. The flickering colors, bits of paper and string, archetypal shapes and evocative tines and marks encourage viewers to make their own personal associations. In the process, they invite us to ruminate on our own response to daily life. In fact, one of the most important functions of the “Rome Journals” is to remind us that riches await anyone who looks closely at his or her surrounds.

Citation:
Heartney, Eleanor. “Allison Lasley: Rome Journals.” Allison Lasley: Rome Journals. New York, NY: Fifth Floor Foundation, 1998. © 1998 Eleanor Heartney