Breath + Matter

UNDERFOOT (detail), crochet, rayon, wool, wire, human prosthetic eyes - 2018

I met Wendy Drexler last fall after I came across her latest publication Before There Was Before at Belmont Books. I had just become a member of Boston Sculptors Gallery and had the opportunity to join in on their latest group show Breath+Matter. Being late to the party I was looking for a poet collaborator, and quickly, in order to have enough time to establish our relationship to work together.

I immediately was taken in by the accessibility and sensitivity of Wendy's writing. We share an interest in the every day, bringing attention and interest to objects that are often overlooked. I work with found objects in my sculptures and Wendy's poems do the same. So I was thrilled with her enthusiasm and energy to join this project with me. Wendy and I have become fast friends. Meeting Wendy is one of the many gifts of this project. We've had many opportunities to get together, becoming so engaged in our conversations that we often need to remind ourselves to talk about the project! 

We had trouble narrowing down our options for subject matter so part of our process was to go on fieldtrips together and see where our inquiries and interests led us. One such trip was to Harvard's Natural History Museum right up the street from my studio. We spent time with the insects, taxidermy and rare minerals but it was a special exhibit about moss that captivated us both. 

Here's an excerpt from Wendy's statement:

"...And so they turned to moss, first responding visually to its beautiful and minute microscopic structures, then researching how this ancient life form grows, propagates—surviving, in times of drought, on a single drop of water! They’ve discovered that moss, like our own species, is resilient, collaborative, and opportunistic, and that the smallness of moss, with its...   genius  for filling  the emptiness— snatching  a scant gap,  spreading  between cracks  encompasses the dynamic splendor and complexity of the world."
Click here for the lesson plan designed for the exhibition by Wendy Drexler and Audrey Henderson.

 Breath+Matter is an exhibition of 24 sculptor/poet collaborators
"....who are investigating the essence of inspiration, which is mysterious, profound, and intimate. It is a unique collaboration between two art forms: poetry, which is ephemeral and sculpture, which is concrete."

Wendy's reading of 'Moss Muse' to a large crowd of captivated listeners!

Join us for our Grand Opening on July 18th, from 5:30 - 8:30 PM. 

The reception will feature readings by Wendy and several other participating poets.

A second reception and reading will take place on August 3rd as part of SOWA’s First Fridays evening gallery walk. 

The public is invited free of charge.

Breath+Matter

July 18 - August 12, 2018
Opening Reception and Poetry Readings: July 18, 5:30-8:30
First Friday Reception and Poetry Readings: August 3, 5:30-8:30
Poetry readings will be happening on the hour of 6, 7 and 8 pm.

Boston Sculptors Gallery, 486 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02118

(617) 482-7781, bostonsculptors@yahoo.com