In Naiad, meaning water nymph, Heather Horton immerses us in a submerged world of refracted light, where a young woman swims, floats, and glides. Our perspective is also underwater, making us inhabitants of this amniotic space. We are invited to share the sensory experiences of a contemporary naiad—a water nymph from classical mythology.
Horton takes on the challenging task of capturing the complex reflections and altered forms created by immersion. Her meticulous attention to optical effects is evident as she portrays the shimmering patterns of sunlight through the rippling water. Delicate, lace-like networks enhance and obscure the contours of the suspended figure. Horton skillfully depicts her subject’s pale, delicate flesh using cool tones, creating a sensuous appeal. Her predominantly cool palette is punctuated by occasional warm reds and earth tones, adding accents to the cerulean blues, turquoises, and watery blue-greens. Horton’s mastery of technique is showcased in her evocation of saturated, luminous color and her nuanced depiction of the human body.
The Robin, 2024
The woman in Horton’s paintings is clothed, introducing a subtle tension. Why swim clothed instead of naked or in a swimsuit? The diaphanous dresses she wears suggest a story, something mysterious. This anomaly hints at a context beyond the water, perhaps something dramatic and cinematic. The setting is a swimming pool, not the sea, a river, or a lake, evoking comparisons to the narrative of the 1968 film “The Swimmer,” starring Burt Lancaster. In the film, Lancaster’s character is adrift in the indulgent world of suburban pools and his own existential crisis. Is Horton’s female protagonist echoing something similar?
Naiad will continue swimming its way through the gallery until August 10.
Header: ‘Persephone’, 2024
