With Chloe Chlumecky’s View from the Window exhibition, the outside and inside meet at the intersection of doorways, doors, and windows. This installation captures the universal experience of being somewhere new. In these works, the sun’s presence settles on nearly all interior surfaces, influencing inside spaces to become something spectacular.
When entering the Dianna Witte Gallery, I was immediately welcomed by the fourteen paintings that share Chlumesky’s summer memories. Every painting highlights the space and information shared through these openings between walls. A door, doorway, or window enables light and greenery to enter an interior space, and the rendering of such elements is done with precise consideration. Chloe Chlumecky’s artistic presence is deeply felt in every area she inhabited. As all the doors are depicted ajar, I feel invited into the scene and am curious to find out what is waiting in the next room. Every work provides a sense of the space within, as well as the space beyond. The use of sunlight, contrasting against shadows, is present on nearly every surface of the rooms and clearly demonstrates the powerful relationships seen between the outside and the inside. Overall, these works remind us that even when we are inside a house, we are constantly being touched and influenced by the outside environment.
Installation view of Chloe Chlumecky’s View from the Window at the Dianna Witte Gallery
Apart from the wonder that Chloe Chlumecky depicts through her paintings, the feeling of comfort is brought to life through her use of texture. In every painting I was able to notice the deliberate brushstrokes upon the canvas that adds definition. Photographs do not capture all the textures and brushstrokes of Chlumecky’s work; it is something you must experience in person. I was especially captivated by the gorgeous brushstrokes seen in her works: self- portrait in wardrobe, chateau after hours, morning in my bedroom, and my studio light.
self-portrait in wardrobe, 2026, oil on canvas, 36 x 48 inches
The carving of the doors, the landscapes, the window frames, and the drapery present in her paintings are organic and elegant. The elements of everyday life appear so familiar. While Chlumecky also provides close-ups of some scenes, no two works read the same because they all reveal new details about her spatial experiences. The more time I spent alongside the paintings, the more I felt fascinated by stories of adventures in the French countryside and the more I felt enveloped by a complete sense of curiosity and happiness.
oquevaux view, 2026, oil on panel, 16 x 12 inches
Capturing the impression of light in space is not easy. In this exhibition, each marking of sunlight adds an unexpected geometry to the room. The imprint of sun is time specific. These details, like depicting the transition of light from the outside to the inside walls and floors, show how graceful a special moment can be.
my studio light, 2026, oil on panel, 16 x 12 inches
Chlumecky’s paintings act as a window into her memories, and they tell her story through features that can often be overlooked. Windows and doors are not barriers to the outside, instead they are tools that allow us to bridge two worlds together. Nature and its influence is ever-present through all her works, reminding us how nature plays a big part in our lives. Through the French-style furniture, floor tiling, wardrobes, gold ornamentations, and displays of food, it was so easy to understand the joy of the artist’s experience in nature.
view from the window, 2026, oil on canvas, 36 x 48 inches
Chloe Chlumecky’s paintings celebrate being an artist and finding the striking beauty of one’s surroundings.
Angie Ospina
Images are courtesy of the Dianna Witte Gallery.
*Exhibition information: Chloe Chlumecky, View from the Window, September 17 – October 10, 2026, Dianna Witte Gallery, 1122 Dundas St. East, Toronto. Gallery hours: Wed – Sat 12 – 6pm.