KAREN FITZGERALD
Pearls, Birds and the Universe
June 19-July 26, 2026

Pearls, Birds and the Universe is a solo exhibition of paintings by Karen Fitzgerald. Through luminous layers of watercolor, oil paint, mica, and precious metals, Fitzgerald explores the subtle relationship between the material world and the spiritual dimensions that permeate it.

At the heart of Fitzgerald's practice is an inquiry into the connection between matter and spirit. Drawing inspiration from poetry, philosophy, metaphysics, and the natural world, her paintings seek to give visual form to experiences that are deeply felt yet difficult to describe. Birds, celestial space, radiant fields of color, and pearl-like forms emerge as recurring motifs within a body of work that contemplates the invisible forces that animate life.

As Fitzgerald writes, “The relationship of matter and spirit is at the heart of my work.” Her paintings investigate the threshold where the tangible and the intangible meet, suggesting that the physical world carries traces of another reality that can be sensed but not measured. Through layered surfaces, luminous color, and reflective materials, the works invite viewers into a contemplative encounter with that mystery.

Fitzgerald's process balances intention and surrender. Working with fluid media that move beyond complete control, she allows the inherent qualities of her materials to participate in the creation of the image. Gilding with precious metals further amplifies the paintings' sense of radiance and otherworldliness. The resulting works are atmospheric and immersive, revealing light as both a physical phenomenon and a spiritual presence.

“The language of form in these paintings connects the dots to the spiritual realm through the energy of all things physical,” Fitzgerald writes. “Energy is the bridge between the physical and the spiritual.” In Pearls, Birds and the Universe, painting becomes a means of making space for that connection, inviting viewers to contemplate the profound relationship between earthly existence and the larger cosmos in which it unfolds.

Raised on a dairy farm in central Wisconsin, Fitzgerald developed an early and enduring connection to the natural world that continues to inform her work. She received a BFA from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, an MFA from Hunter College, and an M.Ed. from Teachers College, Columbia University. Her work has been exhibited at the Queens Museum of Art, the United Nations in New York, the Fort Wayne Museum of Art, and numerous other institutions throughout the United States. She lives and works in Western Queens, New York.

SPECIAL EVENTS:

● Thurs, June 19 at 6pm: Exhibition Opening Reception

This exhibition is curated by Finnish artist Sampsa Pirtola and presented in collaboration with Rudolf Steiner Library (www.rudolfsteinerlibrary.org). The hours for this exhibition are Fridays–Sundays, 1–5pm. Please visit www.lightformsartcenter.com for event details and more information.

This exhibition is curated by Finnish artist Sampsa Pirtola and presented in collaboration with Rudolf Steiner Library (www.rudolfsteinerlibrary.org).