Zinnia

Zinnia, 2024
Oil, oil pastel on canvas
24 x 18 x 1 in (61 x 45.7 x 2.5 cm)

Known for deftly combining abstraction and figuration, Corrine Slade’s new body of work brings to life the act of deadheading—the practice of pruning flowers to encourage new growth—a powerful metaphor for personal renewal and transformation.

In these paintings, Slade delves deep into the cycles of life, death, and rebirth, reflecting both the literal and symbolic gestures of caring for plants. Each piece pulsates with vibrant layers of color, where flowers—painted with both reverence and release—serve as symbols of feminine resilience, care, and reinvention. The intricate brushwork and organic forms invite viewers into intimate, meditative spaces where nature and human emotion intersect. These rich varieties of florals intertwined with the female body creates a delicate yet powerful dialogue about the fleeting beauty of life and the importance of nurturing ourselves. Deadheading emerges as both a personal and universal narrative about renewal, encouraging viewers to reflect on the meaning of letting go in order to foster transformation.

The exhibition is dedicated in loving memory to Marilyn Slade.

Slade (b.1998, Montclair, New Jersey) currently lives and works in Chicago. Her work has been shown internationally at Frieze London and Felix Art Fair with recent solo shows at The Breeder, Athens, Greece and New Image Art Gallery, Los Angeles. She completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) in 2020.