Get creative

LA art curator Brooke Wise has created a fine art colouring book for quarantine
By J.L. Sirisuk | Art | 25 May 2020
Above:

Artwork by Sayre Gomez

“I’ve now been quarantining in Palm Springs since the end of March, trying to be productive and trying to keep busy,” shares LA-based art curator Brooke Wise, currently quarantined in the desert with her cat, “I was brainstorming ideas that would make sense with the current state of the world, and art world at that.”

Tuning her lockdown stagnation into positive creativity, Wise’s latest project – The Fine Art Quarantine Coloring Book – is just this, bringing together 26 emerging and contemporary artists from across borders and artistic styles, each offering a piece of artwork for you to colour in and enjoy. “I’m sure I’ll eventually do an online show like many other galleries and curators are, but before I gave into that I wanted to do something a little different and something lighter, and more fun,” Wise explains of her innovative new project.

GALLERY

Wise has curated for galleries internationally and is no stranger to linking her work to charitable causes, having produced the yearly film festival Aloha from Hell with Comedy Central, benefiting Planned Parenthood. The Fine Art Quarantine Coloring Book draws on this ethos while offering respite from current affairs and a sense of creative fun. I immediately began thinking about artists who I hadn’t yet had the chance to work with but wanted to. I also thought about whose work would be interesting in a coloring book format, black and white with negative space.” The book showcases a variety of artwork including a playful, salacious illustration by Heather Benjamin, beautiful sinuous figures by Cristina BanBan, and the work of Wise’s sister, the contemporary oil painter and art superstar Chloe Wise.

Artwork by Heather Benjamin

The art of coloring can offer liberation from the constraints of anxiety and boredom in a more intimate and meditative form. Shares contributing artist Brittney Scott: “The coloring book was a really positive experience. It’s a simple and nice way to bring people together, coloring feels nostalgic and grounding during times like these.” The Fine Art Quarantine Coloring Book is downloadable, easily accessible and 100 percent free with the option to make a donation to Meals on Wheels, a charitable organization that delivers meals to seniors. It might just be time to channel your inner artist and stretch your imagination for a good cause.

Download The Fine Art Quarantine Colouring Book here.


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