Reception April 6 6-9pm – 225 S 2nd Street Milwaukee, WI
Il Bosco/The Wonder Gallery is proud to present a beautiful three month exhibition of works by artists and craftspeople from around the country, curated by outsider artist Anne Marie Grgich
“A common thread weaving throughout the work is a celebration of the persistence of wild nature in the midst of the anthropocene. Forms and shapes resembling nests, webs and burrows abound in work that interfaces with “nature” (human and non-human) on levels both metaphysical and scientific, allegorical and literal.
The work can be seen collectively as a celebration of the wonder and awe of the interdependence of all sentient beings as well as an alarm call for the protection and preservation of wild spaces. The exhibition is an opportunity for meditation on the stabilizing and healing force of the planetary biosphere, beyond the obsessive human desire to corral and control. In this surrender to natural forces the artists align with the mission of the gallery, which specializes in primarily handmade and sustainable wares.” -AMG
Below are my contributions to the show. A series of moments from a vision I had when contemplating what it is I feel when I say “I feel good when out in nature.”
Thank you to Il Bosco for allowing me to have one of your windows for a few months. I love your space and you have wonderful taste, if I do say so myself.
And thank you to Anne Marie, for the inclusion. Here’s to more! Cheers!
“Drawing it’s name from Joseph Nye’s theory of cultural heritage as a form of non-coercive power, Soft Power explores the dynamic contrast between soft materials and so-called ‘”hard”‘ ideas. Using traditional processes, these artists have created potent contemporary declarations of resistance, resilience, love, and rebuke.” -write up by TAM
21 artists including myself are in this show and it’s SO BIG! During the install someone mentioned one possible critique about the density of the show but I immediately countered with an actuality we can’t and shouldn’t deny… the show is ever more representative of our being … that we are still who we are with our own stories, and in a lot of cases these stories are heavy… and yet we stand here, colorful and next to others as we make our way through it. It is a lovely reflection of our world, I say. I am honored and thankful to be included!
I call my piece Soft Tower of Power. It is an installation. And although born of heavy emotions, has become a gift of sorts that I metaphorically give to you. I was invited by Ellen Ito, who I’d like to say than you to. Thank you! As well as to the Tacoma Art Museum. When I heard the title I immediately was compelled to look up the words. So simple, surely they had a nice literal launchpad for my imagination, which has become my M.O. I touch on the notion of Soft through my use of the materials themselves having been and being malleable, and Power comes through, at least for me, in the visual rise of the piece, growing up from the ground, standing as my ancestors intended their own ritually inclined centers of communion. The heavy emotions I mentioned were grief, resentment and a feeling of detachment. I moved to the PNW 11 years ago and although I certainly experienced and will continue to appreciate the glorious nature as often as I could and can, I didn’t really find community. I met a handful of lovely people here, but not enough for me. I was also being denied work for a long stretch of time, despite my being an intelligent, creative, skilled, bilingual, exotic individual with great references. This simply is not where I am meant to be, for now. I understand that, now. I had also left a thriving family who laugh out loud and are boisterous, friends who speak with their whole bodies and strangers who openly give compliments or even say a simple hi to me on the street, or maintain eye contact.. I have missed that terribly!
So, that unattached feeling, the lack of connection to the people I was dealing with had me search for it. I decided to build a space, a place for one to go and be. I provided the tools themselves to allow for the work to be done and chairs so you can really get into it or just sit back and reflect, visit, commune, rest. The blocks I hope relay a sense of purpose, a nod to the further step taken in the holding of space, to one of participation and acknowledgement. I decided to move to the Midwest to be closer to my family, my tribe, my lake… and I already feel better. I am now able to see this opportunity given to me by the Tacoma Art Museum, as a sweet send off, a Thank You For Your Time parting gift.
All the pieces that comprise the tower are transmutable. They can be arranged flat, around a corner… alone or together. Here’s a GIF of some options. I’m not good with tech so please be careful… the strobbing effect could be too much for some.
This body of work is an attempt at providing a space and the tools to commune with the divine.
Having had a traditionally catholic upbringing, up till being given the chance to decide whether to continue to participate, I reflected on one particular moment when I was made to kneel on dried beans on the front porch of one of the church leaders’ homes for “talking too much”.
Ever since then I’ve been against organized religion but have always appreciated the communion of it, especially the hand shaking of thy neighbor after being preached to about god knows what… I was busy talking.
It is in that vein, the appreciation I have for communing with whatever it is that supports us as a whole that I dedicate this installation to.
I was initially inspired to broach this subject after being awed by one of David’s cast-away pieces, which resembled a temple. I decided to recreate that temple’s insides and began to imagine what we would find there-in.
It was also when Saundra shared what she had planned to contribute that solidified the story for me. Her paintings on pillows gave the comfort factor and were very reminiscent of stained glass windows.
Here’s a peek at some of my pieces and parts. There’s a tentative closing reception mid-March
i should get a job or a connect, at least, with a bar restaurant… i love working with bottlecaps!sister and brother rattleurns for…making duecount them blessings!my version of the babblings of the man at the pulpit
My goal is to provide a space where-in one can commune with the divine. I have used my time to create some tools to use as a bridge/land line.
Come thru if your around! And let me know if you go I can meet you there and we can discuss!
Luh May-zohnTables set!The convergence; David Saundra and I work well together!Sweeter still is knowing you know I love you
working at a fabric store with some older womenfolk… who most are sweet and some not so much i am learning a new kind of patience and Ive started an installation at work. concept=Garment Construction. something in honor of us who make our own clothes. It has been a treat everyday getting ready that I actually look forward to putting an outfit together – from “funky” to “male Nurse chic” :”) I am having some fun… and more is sure to come. First shot is the wallspace in question
Check out the back wall just above the shelves of fabrics…
I’m using a collection of old patterns that I knew one day I would use :”)… check it out. There will be some clothing up as well and hopefully my bosses will like it so much they will invite me to do some display work at the other locations :”)
I have always wanted a jumpsuit… redmoon theater in chicago actually turned me on to them :”) heres a schnazzier version though! i patchworked the yoke [originally a pillowcase that didnt sell] one lady descirbed it as “funky” – i’ll take it!
they got some awesome florals at pacific fabrics y’all! and dont let the piles and piles on the remnants tables dissuade you – there are gorgeous prints in there!!
The Warrenville Historical Society is excited to announce its upcoming exhibition Warrenville Inspired. The Historical Society is welcoming a group of artists to find inspiration amongst their historical collection and create an original piece to be displayed alongside the history and artifacts that moved them. This inventive exhibit will open on Friday, March 16th and run through Sunday, April 22nd. An artist reception will take place on Sunday, March 18th from 1-5pm, open and free to the general public. Our director and curator, Sara Phalen, has been hard at work with the exhibit’s co-curator Anni Holm, an internationally exhibited Danish artist who now lives in West Chicago, to prepare for Warrenville Inspired’s opening weekend, which will also feature an additional display of the artists’ work at the Warren Tavern, located next to the Museum at 3S540 Second Street. Artists featured in the exhibition are Jessica Bruah, Pate Conaway, Mia Capodilupo, Patty Carroll, Andrew CopperSmith, Catherine Forster, Rita Grendze, Chris Hodge, Jason Judd, Alysia Kaplan, Patrick Lichty, Leah Mitchell, Alexis Lee Ortiz-Duarte, Kip Pasta, Dominic Sansone, Joe Urso, Rachel Weaver Rivera, Ana Zanic, Sarah Zimmer, and Adam Farcus and Allison Yasukawa on a collaborative piece. The exhibit will be free to the general public.
Open hours at the Warrenville Historical Museum & Art Gallery, located at 3S530 Second Street, during the exhibit are Friday, March 16th 6-9pm, Saturday, March 17th 1-4pm, Sunday, March 18th 1-5pm (Opening Reception), Thursday, March 22nd 4-7pm, Sunday, March 25th 1-4pm, Thursday, March 29nd 4-7pm, Sunday, April 1st 1-4pm, Thursday, April 5th 4-7pm, Thursday, April 12th 4-7pm, Sunday, April 15th 1-4pm, Thursday, April 19th 4-7pm, Friday, April 20th 4-7pm, Saturday, April 21st 1-4pm and Sunday, April 22nd 1-4pm. Additional programming will also be scheduled in conjunction with the exhibit, including artist talks and kids programming.
So, first I’d like to thank everyone who made it out to the opening of Unfinished Business!
Pictures will be coming soon… I, in all the excitement, forgot my camera :”(
But it went well; people were sitting on the floor to weave, which I had some worries about, as I just assumed most wouldn’t be into it. But they did… get down and up :”) [thankfully]. Such a great feeling to see so many different people interact with my installation. Big thank you to Jane Addams Hull House! Especially Naomi Blumberg and Lisa Lee (who’s name is the bomb!) See you ladies soon!
Also, I just uploaded a list of exhibitions or an artist resume on my about page, so check that out if you wanna know more or less what I’ve done publicly. I’m sure I missed some things so if any of you collaborators or knowers know.. please feel free to fill a brother in.
And now the next project:
These lovelies are in Reedsburg, Wisconsin and I get to “decorate” them with fellow artist and close friend Laura Annis for this years Art D-Tour. Details to come soon. Please keep in mind the days to come up and see if you have the time and of course, want to. October 7-16th
It is a long time coming but finally I am sitting still long enough to do this :”)
Pictures, many of them to come. I have always been very secretive of my work but met someone very inspirational and encouraging… so now I [will] share.
Please feel free to connect and let’s see what happens!
The header image is a detail of some terra cotta grass I made. Yes, I am an artist. Here it is in it’s full glory.
Below are images from my collaboration with Danny Mansmith. The Show was called “Le Um’phor: An Exploration” at PerficalSense in Evanston. The word “Um’phor” comes from the caribbean and references a sacred space, somewhere special a medium can commune with the elements to somehow conjure and heal. We addressed the space as such and as you can see, we went to town. Elements of nature (both hand-made and found) met with our sense of what is magical and dealing with the term “exploration” we chose to be more process based in our making; simplifying and repeating movements along the way. This show lead me to a place where I can relax and get caught up in the meditative forms and creation of.
Hope you enjoy and check in every now and again to see and read about what I’m up to!
orejonejo 