“Momentary Collapse” by Kirista Trask

in the Art Trailer Gallery

December 18, 2020 through February 28, 2021

A new installation in a vintage travel trailer turned permanent art gallery, at The Sou’wester Lodge.

Momentary Collapse examines how multiple experiences while individual imprints can simultaneously function as one. Using one long roll of paper and created over nine months, Momentary Collapse abstractly documents individual experiences engaging with the same physical environment. The physical location is the Columbia River where it meets the pacific, the mental location is merely a dream.

Kirista Trask translates subtle moments and landscapes into swirling abstraction, blending saturated, opaque colors with translucent washes to evoke moment as an emotional experience.  Her work is created using a variety of materials, including acrylic, ink, charcoal, pencil, oil pastel, chalk and coffee, in order to react to the spirit of the location at the moment. These abstract works exist somewhere between presence and memory, giving the viewer a moment for pause. Her best work is done plein air style in stunning locations all over the world and especially in the Pacific Northwest.  As a seventh generation Oregonian Kirista finds a deep connection to place and incorporates that into her work. 

Kirista’s current body of work explores the impact of identity in rural communities. As an native Oregonian and member of the lgbtqa community Kirista has experienced a life of bias based on sexual orientation.   Her current work seeks to inquire as to whether art can be a channel of change in regards to rural community value systems. 


OPEN: Fri/Sat/Sun 9am-9pm (and by request: call the lodge front desk at 360-642-2542 and we’ll open the gallery for you)*

The Art Trailer Gallery is free and open to the public.

*Due to Covid-19 a face covering is required while inside the gallery. The gallery is open to one person, couple or family at a time and allowing for 6′ distance at all times.

This trailer is a 1960’s Aloha made in Aloha, Oregon. It was rescued from a neglected RV park in the northern part of the Long Beach Peninsula. Now repaired and transformed into an art space, this art gallery is part of our Artist Residency Program and our non-profit organization, Sou’wester Arts.