Kim Klabe

In What Were You Wearing, Kim Klabe addresses societal judgment and victim-blaming with a powerful portrait. The figure, wrapped in a flowing coat, moves forward with determination, her wind-swept hair amplifying the sense of resilience amid adversity. The earthy tones of her form contrast with the pale, textured background, symbolizing both exposure and concealment. Fragmented, fading text hints at the scrutiny and verbal violence women often face, while the titular question evokes the insidious nature of blame placed on victims. Klabe’s layered composition explores the tension between personal agency and the societal gaze, inviting viewers to confront the complexities of identity, judgment, and resilience in the face of external pressures. 

In Wade, she portrays a lone female figure standing in water, her silhouette rendered in dark, flowing contours against a pale, textured background. The muted blue and gray tones evoke a sense of isolation, while the surrounding abstract elements suggest the fluidity and uncertainty of the environment. The figure's posture, slightly withdrawn yet poised, conveys both vulnerability and quiet strength. The fragmented, faded text beneath the surface of the painting hints at narratives that remain submerged, much like the figure herself. Klabe’s delicate interplay of form and texture invites viewers to reflect on themes of resilience, survival, and the deeper currents of emotion that flow beneath the surface of personal and societal experience.