Vulnerability is approached in different ways by each person who encounters it; whether

it is by satisfaction, hostility, or compliance it is always different. The Cohen Gallery used this as

the basis for it’s show Windows of Vulnerability which is showing from October 23 to December

4, 2015. The three artists Lauren Gallaspy, Sara Parent-Ramos, and Hollis Hammond explored

vulnerability in different subjects with their artwork. Each artist used a myriad of mediums and

techniques to depict their versions of vulnerability.

Lauren Gallaspy’s artwork focuses on the

vulnerability of living things and the different

consequences that occur due to this vulnerability. One

image which stands out from others is her piece Rabbit

Rabbit Rabbit. This piece is a very busy one. There are

three rabbits within it yet they can be hard to find. This

density of lines and the complex nature of this piece is the

blame for this. While one is searching for the rabbits they

get lost along with them. The viewer then becomes the

vulnerable living thing which the piece is depicting. They do not understand what is happening

and the unknown creates fear and helplessness. The darker and more intense portions of the

artwork bring a sense of complexity to the image. The contrast between the lights and darks

coincide with the contrast between the white rabbit and the

two darker ones; the seemingly docile and injured nature of

the first and the alert and content sense of the other two.

Gallaspy has another piece called Once Bitten. This

piece is designed in the same manner as Rabbit Rabbit

Rabbit but is much more forward with it’s presentation of defenselessness. The dogs within this

piece are fighting. It has effected both of them; it has caused both of the light and dark dogs to

become over shadowed by the din and ruckus which is caused by the bite. The strong and rich

black color which comes from the ink combines with the complex patterns she creates to cause

an unsettling feeling within the onlooker. The feeling of being exposed and susceptible to a

complexity and density of unkindness such as the one depicted within this piece.

These works of art from Lauren Gallaspy capture the raw vulnerability which is so hard

to portray in any way. This animal and raw version of vulnerability is specifically difficult due to

the complex nature of it. Gallaspy was able to simplify it in a way though; by using her skills she

was able to visualize the intricacy which is the vulnerability of living things.

Bibliography

Lauren Gallaspy, ‘Rabbit Rabbit Rabbit’, 2013. Ink on vellum. Cohen Gallery.

Lauren Gallaspy, ‘Once Bitten’, 2013. Ink on vellum. Cohen Gallery.