FINNLEY J. KIRKMAN

L’EVOLUTION DES ENFANTS

Friday, June 30th 2023 | Rele Gallery 8215 Melrose Ave Los Angeles CA 90046

L’evolution des Enfants is a series of 5 paintings representing the connection to our beginnings as infants and what that means to me as a visual artist.

We are born with a heartbeat that consistently ranges between 110 to 160 beats per minute. The body is rapidly growing in all areas, and blood is needed to fuel this growth. As the years go by, until our late teenage years our heartbeat continuously slows down until it reaches a steady range of around 60bpm.

A range we often hold for the rest of our lives. 

I found this fascinating, and instantly I started thinking about what this meant to me. I considered the moments as an adult when my heart rate returned to that same heartbeat of childhood: Movement, excitement, being scared. All which funnel down to feeling alive. Awake. Present. States in which kids are so well connected to. 

This collection of 5 paintings (Heartbeat series) is a visual exploration of the evolution from that childhood heartbeat. That heartbeat that gave us the ability to grow into the people we have become. Through colors, lines, width - the paintings tell a story of what we lose and what we hold on to - and the importance of keeping our inner child’s heartbeat alive in our adult selves.

The final gesture of this work, is that of a child. When I finished the work, I knew it was missing something. It became clear it was the childhood heartbeat in present time. So I scattered crayons on the floor below the painting and opened up the work for young children to color on.

Thank you to all the kids who participated and took part in the HEARTBEAT series.

Mattie age 11, Weaver age 9, Kai age 19months, April age 4, Sabrina age 5, Cameron age 2, Stella age 11, Aiden age 2.5, Logan age 6, Mila age 9.

This show is in partnership with RELE gallery, a portion of all sales will be donated to P.S. Arts - to further arts education outreach in Los Angeles.

Price list for available work is HERE

Hand printed screen prints of HB1 and HB2 | 300$ (limited edition of 32)

Photos: Mason Kuehler