Girl Inform Me

Laura Berger’s “Night Fruit” at Hashimoto NYC.

On view virtually starting Saturday, November 21st, 2020 at Hashimoto Contemporary in New York City is artist Laura Berger’s solo exhibition, “Night Fruit.”

Drawing on introspective moments from the past year, the artist looked towards this period of deep solitude and groundlessness, exploring the liminal space. As the world lives in an ‘in between’ period of who we were pre-pandemic and who we will become, we collectively embarked on a spiritual journey, creating the opportunity to explore our own possibilities, dismantling mental constructs. Narratives within each painting are intentionally kept vague and open to interpretation, capturing a surreal and dreamlike quality.

Languid female figures drape across the canvas, extended and intertwined - a quiet fluidity is captured in their elegantly flowing limbs. Messages of comfort are carried throughout each piece, with figures enveloping one another, holding oversized fruit, branches and flowers, creating a feeling of unity, safety, protection and nourishment for the soul. Depicted as solitary individuals as well as clustered together, these characters simultaneously represent the sense of self, those around us, as well as the different sides of our persona and various archetypes. Their long straight black hair and dark almond- shaped eyes harmonize them as sisters, curiously looking back at the viewer, asking us what we see reflected back.

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Vintage apartment filled with green wallpaper | styling by Rydman & photos by Ostling

I figure out I had ADHD last year, but I didn’t seek an official diagnosis and medication until this year. I’m 30 years old, my school days are long behind me. I slipped through the cracks because I have predominately inattentive type and I was a quiet little girl. Having ADHD does not mean you have to be hyperactive and loud, it means you have a processing problem in your brain that doesn’t allow you to regulate your focus or emotions. 

Mental health even now is still taboo to talk about. People are more open now than ever about it however and that gives me hope. 

👏🏾Education 👏🏾is 👏🏾a 👏🏾right,👏🏾 not👏🏾 a👏🏾 service 👏🏾