At the age of 3, Denise Tassin ate an entire bottle of orange-flavored aspirin. That link between candy and pills emerges decades later in her creations on display in Candyland at the James L. Pierce Gallery.
The multimedia exhibit explores the relationship of sugary treats and medications through pill bonbons and scenes made of brightly colored capsules.
“You can delight in their visual form and variety, but if you reflect a little more deeply you see, if she can gather enough pills together, there?s a need for that medication and what that medication symbolizes,” said Jennie Fleming, assistant director of The Art Gallery at the University of Maryland, whose followed Tassin?s work.
Using medicine as a medium, Tassin discovers the beauty in the banal aspects of life, but also indicates illnesses that maybe unspoken, Fleming added. For some adults, medications are like candies.
A series of intricate drawings on Necco wafers by Tassin in Candyland conjures nostalgic feelings and joy for the simple things in life, Fleming said.
Carrying a pen and pack of Necco wafers with her, Tassin creates wherever and whenever she desires, she said. “It?s like having a little studio in your pocket.”
Her meticulous craftsmanship pulls viewers into minute worlds of landscapes, logos and abstract images such as series illustrating movements in Glenn Gould?s “Bach?s Goldberg Variations.”
The accomplished Fells Point artist burns through 10 Micron pens or four Sharpie markers when creating a series of wafers.
Tassin?s childhood memories influences her choice of mediums, she said. The Louisiana-native used Necco wafers as communion when playing mass with her brother.
“Denise makes you look at things more closely and appreciate them from a different perspective, which is an artist?s job,” said Marilyn Corbeille, who manages the gallery. “We?ve had a great response to the show because it works on a serious as well as whimsical level.”
Corbeille describes Tassin as poignant and humorous with an impressive range of expressions and abilities.
“A cursory glance of Candyland just doesn?t work, you have to come in to look at the detail. It’s really entertaining,” she said.
Descriptions of each piece, written by Tassin, enhance a viewer?s experience and understanding, Corbeille said. “Following the guide, you can really see where the artist is coming from, the method behind the madness, the intent and inspiration.”
IF YOU GO TO CANDYLAND
Through Aug. 4
» Where: James L. Pierce Fine Art Framing & Gallery, Greenspring Station, 10751 Falls Road, Lutherville
» When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday
» Info: 410 337-8490
