The College of the Canyons Art Gallery will present the unique, abstract exhibition “The In-Between” featuring the work of Los Angeles-based artist Trine Churchill, opening Thursday, Nov. 12.

The exhibition is described by Churchill as “a bit dreamlike, and a bit real-world.”

“Stars”

“I, like most viewers I would guess, have an immediate response to this exhibition that feels familiar, yet unfamiliar at the same time,” said Larry Hurst, COC Art Gallery director. “You recognize images — there may be a tree, landscape, a monkey, dog or a person — and yet there is a mystery that remains.

“It’s best described as a narrative, which also asks questions at the same time,” added Hurst.

Churchill is a Los Angeles-based, contemporary painter from Copenhagen, Denmark. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Fine Art from Otis College of Art and Design, and also studied at the École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts.

With a preference for working in what she describes as the “fictive landscape,” Churchill actually decided on the title for this exhibition before she even started creating — which isn’t usually the case.

“Griffith Park”

However, having a title in mind allowed Churchill to paint literally and let her imagination take things where they needed to go. By letting her inner judge take a break, Churchill ultimately relied on her own imagination to create the final result.

“The In Between” has been created for viewers to see the symbolic meaning of social and historical references through an abstract landscape. While there is a narrative to her work, Churchill also invites audiences to enter their own imagination and find their own personal story within her art.

“I had been reflecting on what my work is really about, which I still to this day have a hard time giving a definite answer to,” Churchill said.

“Solstice Night”

“Technically, the paint is rendered realistically, but also abstractly and somewhat stylistically,” added Churchill in reference to this exhibition. “The narrative, which is visibly there, seems almost tangible — but then not so much so.”

“The In-Between” will run through Wednesday, Dec. 16, at the COC Art Gallery located on the college’s Valencia campus.

An artist’s reception will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, in the gallery.

A special conversation with the artist will take place from 2 to 3 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3.

The COC Art Gallery is open Tuesday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and by special appointment on Mondays and Fridays.

For more information about the College of the Canyons Art Gallery or the exhibition, “The In-Between” please visit www.canyons.edu/artgallery or call (661) 362-3612.