Lex Covato
This body of work, “Pregnant in the Pandemic”, was created at the end of my most recent pregnancy coinciding with the outbreak of covid19 and the global pandemic. My anxiety and fear were growing due to the normal stresses of pregnancy, the uncertainty of the virus and the many unknowns it left me as a mother to deal with, and my own lifelong mental health issues (anxiety and OCD) which I continue to work with on a daily basis. I found myself crying and uninterested in my art. Tears often happen in my life but never before had I experienced a disinterest in art making. All I could do was worry about my daughter, my unborn son, and the state of the world for which they would find themselves. This series of mixed media pieces was a cathartic experience. I released all the questions, doubts, and even prayers into these drawings and in doing so I found a meditative space. After each work session I found myself with greater strength and hope to face giving birth during this outbreak and protecting my family.
The figures in these works are based off my children and me. They are nude figures both because I love the human form and also to allow the bodies to be as expressive as possible to tell the story of me “Pregnant in the Pandemic”. The handling of the line quality, mark making, fauvist color sense, as well as general abstraction all are woven together to paint the most honest picture of what my internal and external worlds were like during the last trimester of birth during 2020. The last image I created before delivering was a prayer and projection of what I hoped to come. “Angels Visit Us” is an image of a woman (me) after she has just given birth. I believe I subconsciously drew upon the strength I know all woman have as well as the iconic Nativity scene when I created this picture. Angels surround the mother and child figures and they are somewhat enveloped in the wing-span of these beings. All else disappears beyond the bond of a woman and her baby. Little did I know that when my son Angelo was born he was limp and I had just spiked a fever. I called out to God for help and protection for him and my husband and I decided on the name Angelo as my minutes old baby was whisked away to the NICU. I am grateful to say Angelo is safe and well today. These works of art are intimate snap shots and powerful prayers during a hard time in my life. All art has the power to heal and to manifest and these are my steps to heal and incantations to manifest.
[Image Description: A short and petite woman with braids in her hair wearing a vivid blue sleeveless dress. She stands with a big smile on her face and with both arms outstretched. Behind her are many paintings of famous iconic people decorated with tattoos which she has painted. The woman and the paintings are both inside a large outdoor arts festival tent.]
Lex Covato
Lex is a practicing artist/illustrator residing in Pittsburgh, PA. She’s a wife and mother of two. Lex does commercial work as well as participating from Art Festivals, Comic Cons, DIY events, and gallery shows. As a neopop surrealist painter, Lex was been featured in publications including “Edgycute” from Random House which showcased artists who are part of this contemporary movement. Her art blends pop culture with historical, religious, and social themes. The most well-known body of paintings are Tattooed Iconic Figures. This celebrates individuals (real or fictional) who are iconic for whatever their given fields or accomplishments are such as Einstein, Lincoln, Bert and Ernie, and Jesus. The figures are adorned with tattoos which act as symbolism to form visual CliffsNotes on their bodies.
Lex’s work has been exhibited and written up in various publications. Most recently she won the Jury’s Choice Award at the Three Rivers Arts Festival. In addition to painting Lex has taught in museums and schools and been invited to be a guest speaker at Duquesne University. www.lexcovato.com