Fast and Curious

In their collaborative show Fast and Curious: Driven by Imagination, artist Tashema Davis teams up with her former student, Emily Phillippe, to create a series of works that complement each other in their whimsical, colorful nature. From goats wearing hats to goldfish crackers, these paintings are engaging and the perfect collection to highlight the joyfulness of these two artists in their paintings. 

Taking in each piece, it is clear that immense work has gone into creating this show. There is a wide variety of subject matter, from different anthropomorphized animals and people engaged in activities. In Davis' painting titled Bubblestation, a raccoon holds a gas pump that emits bubbles, sporting a small smirk. The colors are vibrant, with a bright green background that contrasts with the black-and-white of the raccoon's fur and the blue of the bubbles. The piece is full of whimsy and movement through Davis' brushstrokes. 

In Phillippe's painting, The Broadcaster, a rooster wears a headset with his beak open in front of a checkered flag. Because his little beak is hanging open, it is easy to imagine him in the middle of announcing a car race. The swoopy nature of Philippe's brushstrokes gives the flag a sense of movement as it waves behind the rooster, creating a piece full of excitement. Another of Philippe's pieces, titled Escar-GO, is another perfect example of the humor and playfulness these artists sought to capture in this show. In it, a snail drives a small car from the left side of the painting towards the right across a field of grass and flowers; a normally slow creature that can go much faster with the aid of a machine. 

The care that Davis and Phillippe took in creating each piece has resulted in a very fun show that is incredibly engaging to its audience. Ultimately, viewers will appreciate the artwork in this show because each piece reminds us of the importance of joy. With so many uncertainties in the world today, we can all use a little joy and be reminded of how deeply it can improve our lives. This show is full of joy: animals and people doing different activities that add humor and color through their expressions, and each piece is simply fun.