Cathy Pardike (1939-2018)

In 2003 Hallwalls presented Cathy Pardike’s psychologically layered work with Ani Hoover’s color abstractions, creating an interesting contrast in their distinctive approaches. Pardike provided an artist statement that encouraged viewers to approach her work with their minds open to whatever provoked associations were elicited. She wrote:

Strange forms take on human characteristics using various parts of the body. Male and female shapes vie for the same form but generally one dominates the other. Male images can turn into female or just the opposite. Barbed, spiked, hairy and graffiti-like images can show movement, action and emotion as well as unshaved whiskers and pubic hair. Plaids and stripes turn into nets, pillows, blankets, or clothing and can indicate the bedroom, kitchen, or even a landscape.

I call my recent series of work “Innuendo.” What you see may not be exactly what is happening, but a hint, suggestion or a bit of gossip. It deals with clichés, stereotypes, prejudices, double meanings and humor. Allusion, aspersion, implication, intimation, overtone, reference, whisper, insinuation.