Flora and Fauna
{ Brad Chapman Bleau }
GALLERY at Worcester State University currently presents an evocative exhibition titled Flora and Fauna, which delves into the intricate relationships between plants and animals. The show was co-juried by Associate Director of ArtsWorcester, Alice Dillon, and Farm and Forest, Nature-based Educator, Rachel Drinker. “The show was a privilege to jury. We loved seeing the variety of ways the artists interpreted the call and how many ways there are to discuss and honor the natural world through art,” Drinker said in an interview. This showcase of contemporary artworks not only celebrates and illuminates the beauty of the natural world but also prompts a deeper reflection on the salient interconnectedness of all living things, often exemplifying a more poignant message about the current state of our planet. Through a masterful blend of bright colors and earth tones, the exhibition invites viewers to engage their senses and reexamine their relationship with nature.
As you step into the gallery, you are immediately struck by a visual contrast that tickles the faculties of the mind; Vivid color stands against the browns and beiges of earthly materials. A symphony of color, symbolizing life and energy, mirrors the exuberance of flora in full bloom. In contrast, the earthly tones evoke a sense of grounding and stability, representing the nurturing aspect of the soil and the habitats that sustain both plant and animal life. This deliberate contrast serves as a visual metaphor for the duality that is inherent in nature - life and death, the lively interplay between evolving life and the serene constancy of the earth itself. Acknowledging the cyclical nature of this balance is inevitable, as death catalysts life.
Photo #1: “Field of Dreams and Jill Grimes’ Daisy” - Lynn Simmons
This juxtaposition can be seen in the dialogue happening between Lynn Simmons’ Field of Dreams and Jill Grimes’ Daisy. (Referencing Photo #1) In the foreground, Lynn’s figures made of copper tubing, appear to be sprouting out of or possibly decomposing back into, a ground made of pine planks. The patina on the copper tubes shows the progression of time and the harshness of nature’s ability to physically change organic material. Lynn’s work is “constantly involved in a conversation between nature and abstraction, location and desire, and activism and materials” she says in her artist statement. In the background, Jill’s masterfully created oil painting features layer after layer of colorful, monochromatic daisies, creating a bouquet of color and life. Moments of contrast like this, both physical and contextual, can be seen in little moments throughout the show.
The exhibition features a diverse array of artistic styles and mediums, each uniquely interpreting the themes of flora and fauna. Artists utilize materials that resonate with the subject matter: organic forms made from natural fibers, vibrant pigments derived from plant materials, and even sculptures that incorporate found objects from nature. This choice of materials not only enhances the artwork’s connection to its themes but also creates a tangible link between the art and the natural world, reminding viewers of their own physical and emotional ties to the environment.
Photo #2: “Centaur” - Corey Brown
Corey Brown’s silkscreens are perfect examples of the human connection to nature, found within many pieces throughout the exhibit. (Referencing photo #2) In Centaur, Corey has digitally manipulated body parts, twisting and contorting them to form new anatomy: that of the mythical beast, the centaur. This anthropomorphic figure could represent the intersection of humanity and fauna. (Referencing Photo #3) In Flower, Brown uses noses and eyes to make up the pedals of a flower sitting in a vase, while a seemingly disinterested face stands at the center, serving as its pistil. To me, this references the oneness we share with flora. How we are all destined to be one with the ground again, our decomposition fostering new growth.
Photo #3: “Flower” - Corey Brown
These digital conglomerates also sit at another intersection; that of traditional and contemporary media. As said in his artist statement, Corey’s work “uses the figure to showcase an online sensibility that is as whimsical as it is intense,” referencing the “aspect(s) of contemporary life by collaging original photographs, taken by the artist or from the public domain, and twisting them repeatedly through the help of Photoshop. The finished products intentionally leave little trace of what once was to create something completely unique.” Both pieces are reminiscent of the hours I would spend as a child on Microsoft Paint, pushing and pulling, contorting and deforming photos and clip art with no direction or preconception. Cranking out abomination after abomination all in the name of experimentation and boredom. There is a nostalgic yet contemporary aspect to Brown’s work. After all, these digital assemblages often serve as reference for a finished product that has its roots in more traditional art making techniques like charcoal drawings, oil paintings, or like the two works in Flora and Fauna, silkscreens. The sort of crudeness brought to the digital manipulations is an interesting backdrop for the stunning intricate halftones created for the silkscreen. Together, they meld into a unique commentary on the digital age, social media, and our lost connection to the natural world.
Flora and Fauna is on display until December 14th at the Mary Cosgrove Dolphin Gallery, located at 486 Chandler Street Worcester, Massachusetts. The gallery is open Wednesday-Friday 11:00AM-5:00PM and Saturdays 1:00pm-5:00pm. To see more of Corey, Lynn or Jill’s work, check them out online - @coreybown.art, @lynnsimmons.studio, www.jill-grimes.com