Nancy Staub Laughlin (V. 2)
Nancy Staub Laughlin is an assemblage artist who exhibits in the Northeastern United States, particularly in New York and New Jersey. Most notably, she has been featured three times by Noho Gallery in Chelsea, New York City as well as participated in recent solo exhibitions at The View Gallery in Adirondacks, New York, Nancy Dryfoos Gallery at Kean University in Union, New Jersey, Noyes Museum of Art at Stockton College in Galloway, New Jersey and the Johnson and Johnson World Headquarters Gallery. Nancy has been extensively published but her most prestigious publication was a critical review by the late art critic, Sam Hunter, museum director and professor at Princeton University.
The assemblages incorporate mounted photography on paper with pastel drawings and often depict the subjects of precious gems and diamonds, foliage, and landscapes. Nancy also creates ‘pure’ collages of her own assembled photography. With a soft palette, Nancy explores crystalized forms in the formation of snow flakes, mist, pearls, and diamonds. Sparkling and gleaming, the assemblage strives toward unifying contradictory surfaces, one of captured realism through photography and the other of interpretative naturalism through pastel drawing.
Such integrative methods create holistic new interpretations of familiar subject matter. By arranging florals, fauna, and flowers against diamonds, gems, pearls, snow, and mist, she creates fascinating illusory consumption based on rearranging aesthetically pleasing topics into her very own compositions. The most interesting artists are the ones who can take a subject and transform the meaning, purpose, and visual consumption of the finished surface through integrative techniques such as assemblage, combining different mediums, or constructing handmade props to present a theatrical presentation. Nancy Staub Laughlin achieves all three. Her assemblages leave a presentation of lasting impression through subjects and application of delicate refinement, both literally and symbolically.
Perfection of Rain (pictured above) depicts diamonds and gems glistening against a flurry of rain. The prismatic colors reflect light and reflect off of dripping water. With an array of pastel and realistic neon colors, the glass-like illumination and structures are arranged in a manner similar to a monument, with a centralized and pillar focus. Through monumentality in presentation and shimmering light, Nancy persuades the viewer to value the beauty of luxury.
Through opulence and prestige, the assemblage works of Nancy Staub Laughlin portray a world crystalized by luxury and refinement. She places value on fine objects and reflects on nature to send a message on preservation and presentation. Much like the subject matter in her works, the assemblages are meant to be cherished and treasured for their glorification of refined beauty and glorious aesthetics. With integrative methods, Nancy redefines the role of visual consumption through perceptive depiction of rare subject matter of high value as the photography becomes leveled on a separate form of perspective against the pastel drawings. Bold and nuanced, Nancy can be described as an artist deeply engaged with her mediums and creating a presentation fit for royalty.
