Textile Textures: Still Life Paintings by Carly Waito

Toronto-based artist, designer, and ceramicist Carly Waito‘s latest series of realistic still life paintings marks a bold, introspective pivot in her exploration of materiality and representation. Renowned for her meticulous attention to the minute details of minerals and gemstones, capturing their inherent beauty and complexity with surprising realism, Carly now turns her gaze towards a different subject: textiles.

In this new body of work, the artist reimagines the role of textiles in portrait and still life painting. By stripping away the primary subjects that typically dominate these genres, she brings the background into the foreground, focusing solely on the textile elements. These elements, which have historically served as mere backdrops, surface coverings or garments, are now the stars of her compositions. Carly’s oil paintings are a study in detail and sensitivity, showcasing twists, knots, tangles and rippling fields of fabric in minimalistic yet evocative compositions.

You can learn more about Carly and her work by visiting her website.

More art on the grid Carly Waito’s website