Lisa Qualls - Absence at the Koelsch Gallery through january 14

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Lisa Qualls - "Absence"
at the Koelsch Gallery through january 14
by Todd Camplin

Lisa Qualls exhibition "Absence"shows a personal aspect from the haunting legacy
of the AfricanDiasporas. In Qualls show at the Koelsch Gallery, she is left to imagine
theimage of her slave owned great-great-great grandmother Lily. Quall depicts her
at a mature age and at the age of 12 years old.

Qualls allows her thoughts to run wild in the collaged paintings. Where her imaged daughter
was in three drawings, Qualls had a great deal more of Lily, in fact 97 more. What I like most
about these works is how dignified and regal she appeared. Qualls treats these paintings
of her great-great-great grandmother, like Rembrandt would have painted one of his
wealthy dignitaries. I also thought the use of pages from books drove home the tragic fact
that Lily would not have been allowed to read and that few if any documents remain
of her life.

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Qualls is no stranger to using words in her work to drive a point. In 2008, Qualls used text on
textual to tell the diasporas story of Canary Island boat people. She also has the work
“Four Lilys” on a billboard/outdoor exhibition space at 4200 block of Bellaire Blvd in
Houston, TX. The image is surrounded my ad clutter from other billboards, but Qualls
manages to overcome the visual challenges surrounding her work through calming
blues and whites she uses. These four possible images of the same woman almost rise
into the sky like an old time spiritual.

Lisa Qualls, Four Lilys, 2011

previous articles
by Todd Camplin

Qualls imagines her great-great-great grandmother at the age of 12 years much like a
scientist might approach a genetic paring. She pictures multiple ethnic mixes in order get
possible outcomes. Each possible girl in her own individual frame is wearing the same dress,
but each has different facial and hair features. I find the softly drawn realism of her graphite
has enhanced the inspired quality of the works. Because of the high level of drawings craft,
I easily forget the craft and live in Qualls imaginative space.

Lisa Qualls, Four Lilys, 2011

Lisa Qualls, Absence, book pages, acrylic, colored pencil, oil, wood, 2011

Lisa Qualls, (detail) my great-great-great grandmother at age 12, graphite on mylar, 2011

Lisa Qualls’ “Absence”at Koelsch Gallery 703 Yale Street, runs through January 14th.
Both the exhibit and book were funded by the City of Houston through the Houston
Arts Alliance. She is also making the first volume of “Absence” available for purchase
at the gallery. The outdoor exhibition runs co-current with the gallery show.