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Keight MacLean is a Toronto-based painter, born
and raised in Kingston, Ontario. Keight is an OCAD
University graduate and alumna of the school's
revered Florence Program in Italy. Inspired by her time
studying the old masters first-hand, Keight's paintings
combine the old with the new, reproducing historical
portraits by hand before applying contemporary and
experimental methods such as fluorescent spray paint,
re-harvested artists' mediums and destructive techniques.
COMMUNICATION BREAKDOWN
By Keight MacLean
Artist Statement
"Communication Breakdown" depicts a woman trying to speak but stopped
by a slash of dripping white paint. The piece is inspired by the gradual and
heart-wrenching process of losing a loved one to Alzheimer's disease, and
the breakdown of communication. At first it's barely noticeable but the
conversations get stranger and less coherent over time until communication
fails. The piece tries to capture that moment when the verbal connection is
gone but you can still see in their eyes the yearning to connect.