Calida Rawles

Wade in the Water

- Kristin Farr

A Dream for My Lilith was 2020’s most talked-about West Coast exhibition, the first solo show for Calida Rawles, whose work took multiple forms until an enlightening deep dive. Water arose as a metaphor for life, death, the ubiquitous unknown, and the universe, and she’s only just begun this exploration.

The paintings Calida made to accompany her friend Ta-Nehisi Coates’s celebrated novel, The Water Dancer, brought her work into the light for many, but her flame has always burned steadily, and she remains in pursuit of beauty among the unease, wading through waters both troubled and calm.

“I hope I’m like a visual Octavia Butler,” Calida mused during our conversation, referencing the mind-expanding Afro-futurist science fiction author. Butler’s wise words are a poignant starting point for our conversation during uncertain times: “Kindness eases change. Love quiets fear.”

Kristin Farr: I can’t imagine shelter-in-place with three kids in the house and a studio practice. How’s it going?