Melissa Leandro's third solo exhibition, "Auto Alejamiento," at Andrew Rafacz Gallery, presents a captivating exploration of detachment through layered textile landscapes. Her work combines various textile techniques to create textured scenes that evoke both beauty and unease. The exhibition features vibrant, intricate pieces that challenge the viewer's perception of dimensionality and form. Despite its immersive nature, the space remains a quiet respite, inviting visitors to reflect on the complex emotions conveyed by Leandro's art.

The Artistry Behind Textured Landscapes

In this exhibition, Leandro showcases her mastery of textiles by weaving together diverse materials such as cloth, yarn, embroidery, and foil. Each piece is meticulously crafted, revealing the artist's technical prowess. Bright threads cascade from floral centers, while gray leaves appear weathered and worn. The textures are rich and varied, with yarn creating air trails that seem to fall before reaching the canvas's edge. This elaborate interplay of materials conveys a sense of decay and transformation, drawing viewers into a world where nature and artifice blur.

Leandro's use of textiles extends beyond mere decoration; it becomes a medium for expressing complex emotions. The artist employs a range of techniques to convey movement and change, from the delicate stitching that mimics scribbling to the bold embroidery that suggests glowing or dripping effects. These elements come together to create scenes that are both visually striking and emotionally resonant. The detailed craftsmanship invites close inspection, revealing layers of meaning hidden within each piece. Whether depicting flowers, grasses, or waters, Leandro's work challenges conventional notions of landscape art, offering instead a more abstract and introspective interpretation.

An Immersive yet Subtle Experience

The exhibition space is thoughtfully arranged, with two inverted, functional art benches facing the most colorful works. This setup encourages visitors to sit and engage with the art, fostering a deeper connection between the viewer and the pieces. While vibrant landscapes dominate the central area, darker and more somber works like the diptych "Blemished" / "Rip to Pieces" linger on the periphery. Despite their contrasting tones, all the pieces share a common thread: an underlying sense of unease. Plants seem trapped in a two-dimensional plane, while broken forms reach out but never quite escape their confines.

Although the exhibition explores themes of self-estrangement, it does not overwhelm the senses. Instead, it offers a warm and quiet retreat, particularly welcome during Chicago's typically harsh winter-spring season. Visitors can take their time to absorb the intricate details of Leandro's textile world, finding moments of calm amidst the complexity. The combination of vibrant colors and subtle textures creates an environment that is both immersive and contemplative, inviting viewers to lose themselves in the artist's unique vision. Whether sitting on the benches or wandering through the gallery, one cannot help but be drawn into the intimate and evocative world that Leandro has created.