We have only just really discovered the awesome work of Alexandra Lederman (Huh? How did that happen?) – and as someone who is personally obsessed with shapes and colour, her work really excites me! What exactly is Pareidola? Well, read on …

“This new series of work forms part of a continuation of previous exhibited works that focused on my subconscious and the visual interpretation of personal thoughts and feelings. The result was a series of ‘mindmaps’, resembling small detailed ‘worlds’.

A process that begins with a controlled circular form, my work employs a range of mediums, particularly the use of ink. This current series utilizes the common felt tip pen, which facilitates me being able to record these subconscious thoughts while away from my studio and allows me to freely develop the expression of the subconscious almost immediately.

This series titled ‘Pareidolia’, focuses more closely on the viewer’s response to my work, rather than simply deciphering my own expression. After a number of viewers commented that they observed shapes resembling faces in my work, I began to explore the psychology behind seeing faces or objects, where they have not been intentionally included in the work. The term ‘Pareidolia’ refers to this imagined perception of something, where it doesn’t necessarily exist. Faces, which are easily recognizable through the combination of simple geometric forms (two circles, a triangle and whatever may constitute a mouth), become visible through my subconscious worlds. We see examples of finding facial representations in everyday life such as two windows and a door on a simple house drawing, or the headlights and grille on a car.

The processing of the brain subliminally discerning faces is known as a “sum of parts” perception. Individual parts of the face are recognised before the whole.

My works are often made up primarily of shapes, patterns and objects. Perhaps the human eye more readily finds faces amongst this imagery because the viewer wants to relate to something subjective, personal and recognizable, rather than objective imagery.

This exhibition will also include a live work using audience interaction. With the beginnings of my circular form, the audience will have an opportunity to use materials provided and draw their own imagery, which, when connected will form a large non-sequential, unique world. I hope this will assist in conveying my artistic process.”

Sounds intriguing, and theres a really cool interactive component to it all as well – we’ve also seen one or two pieces that shes done up on the walls, and they look great too.

Head down to Black Penn tomorrow night and check it out for yourselves!

Who: Alexandra Lederman
What: Pareidolia: He Found A Face
Where: Black Listed @ Black Penny 648 Bourke St, Surry Hills, NSW
When: Show opens Tuesday 30th July 2013 from 6pm til 9pm and runs for two weeks.

Check out the Facebook page and Alexandra Lederman for more info on the show!