The Honarkar Foundation for Arts & Culture is proud to present ‘Portal’, an inaugural exhibition of works by the acclaimed filmmaker and artist Denise Di Novi.
Di Novi, a long-time Laguna Beach local known for her influential career in film and television, turned to painting as a form of solace and expression following the tragic passing of her husband on March 20, 2020. Her journey through grief and healing is powerfully depicted in her artwork, which serves as both a reflection of her interior emotional life and a tribute to the love she shared with her husband.
Di Novi shares how painting became a profound medicine for her during an incredibly difficult time. “When my husband passed, I promised myself that I would ensure my grief journey was intentional, to honor him and the love we shared. Three days after he died, I started painting. When I painted, a portal opened, allowing me to enter places where my love was still very much alive. Art made the unbearable bearable.”
‘Portal’ offers a unique opportunity for visitors to engage with Di Novi’s layered, alchemical approach to art. Each piece begins without rules, unfolding layer by layer as she molds, scrapes, scratches, and sculpts with intuitive tools and materials, giving the canvas a sense of history and depth. The resulting works are direct reflections of her inner world, revealing themes and subjects often hidden until completion.
The Honarkar Foundation invites art enthusiasts and the community to experience ‘Portal’ and witness the transformative power of art in the face of profound loss.
EXHIBITION DATES: August 6 - September 14 2024
ARTIST RECEPTION: Saturday August 10, from 4-6pm
FIRST THURSDAY ART WALK: Thursday September 5, 4-6pm