Laura Karetzky's Embedded Series Explores Technology and Human Connection at Lora Schlesinger Gallery

Laura Karetzky's exhibition 'Embedded' runs at Lora Schlesinger Gallery in Santa Monica through July 15, 2017. The artist discusses her work with critic Stephen Savage, revealing influences ranging from Giorgio Morandi and Balthus to Gerhard Richter and Kerry James Marshall. Karetzky's paintings incorporate representations of iPhone screens and digital interfaces, creating embedded diptychs that examine contemporary communication. Her process begins with real exchanges captured on her iPhone, translated into oil paintings on wood with a muted color palette. Three video pieces also appear in the Santa Monica show, representing her exploration of new media. The artist cites writer James Salter and painter Sam Gilliam as significant influences, with Gilliam's critical rejection during her undergraduate studies at Carnegie-Mellon strengthening her commitment to narrative figuration. Karetzky's work addresses relationships and technology's impact on human connection, with pieces like 'Embedded MeandM' (2017) depicting her and her husband looking out from the canvas. Other works reference specific locations including the Met Breuer and Caracas. The artist describes her paintings as 'found collages' that mirror how relationships intertwine lives. Her technical approach involves building transparent layers over time to re-humanize digital imagery, using varying brush sizes to create illumination through light and dark contrasts.