In this solo show, Toth further explores her passionate empathy for animals and their intimate connection to humans. The work is loosely based around the theme of being in some way captured or contained–by a leash, fence, rope, or dense foliage–contrasted with imagery of shattered constraints, animals set loose, breaking through to freedom. Always grounded in painting from direct observation, Toth continues to weave together self-portraiture with this thematic core, often with an understated humor.
The varied work in this exhibit was mainly begun either in the land-locked terrain of colonial Mexico or in the very different environment and culture of an island village in Nova Scotia, Canada. San Miguel de Allende, a small city north of Mexico City where she has lived for many months in the last four years, provided sources for much of her imagery. The plants (including cacti of various kinds), animals (birds, lizards, dogs, farm animals and donkeys), and the stunningly bright colors of the environment all influenced her surreal yet personal narratives.