Past Exhibition
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RENEE ADAMS | Corsage October 10 - November 9, 2008 (Left) Ria Brodell, Northern Birdman Rests (detail) (2007), Pencil and acrylic on paper, 11 x 7.5 inches; (Right) Renee Adams, Flinderspindle
(detail) (2008), Polymer clay, shoe polish, leather, wood map pins, 11 x 7 x 7 inches Deeply rooted in the biological world, Renee Adams' work exists as a distinctive artificial reality. She is fascinated with the inherent qualities of life and the
importance we grant them. Anomaly and normality, virility and frailty, beauty and repulsion are each inherited traits that exist simultaneously and often inharmoniously
in the natural world. Using both natural and artificial materials, Adams creates imaginary hybrid species that are delicate, alluring, and sometimes awkward or disturbing. She is interested
in blurring lines, creating the indefinable, and manipulating the senses; leaving the viewer without a point of reference. Much of her work questions ideals of beauty and
the way in which we manipulate nature or ourselves to attain it. She often refers to the eccentric drawings of German biologist, Ernst Haeckel, for visual inspiration.
His enduring images of plants, animals and microorganisms depict life forms in intimate detail. She too wishes to share each tentacle, shoot and antennae in beautiful,
grotesque reality. Ria Brodell playfully explores "The Distant Lands" (series title) in her works -- they are beautiful, vast, uninhabited and unblemished by human influence. There
are many different creatures living here whom she carefully observes. Her drawings and sculptures are an attempt to represent them and record their characteristics
and behaviors. "The Wormbunnies were the first creatures I observed. They are gentle and curious animals that live in small communities. They are very social and travel often.
Similarly, The Whale and his friend the Submarine journey everywhere together. I would characterize them as old friends and they seem to be highly regarded by the
other creatures. The Birdmen, on the other hand, though intelligent and entrusted to spread the news, are rather apathetic to the dilemmas of the others. They often
cause mischief. The Clumps and the Sodmonsters are the most troubled of the various creatures. They emerge from the land and can only be distinguished by their
temperaments. The Sodmonsters are voracious and aggressive and are constantly vying for more territory. They have been continuously waging war on their more peaceful
counterparts, the Clumps. This endless battling has caught the attention of even the most reclusive of the creatures in The Distant Lands." Works available PROJECT SPACE NJP, AS ONE..AS MORE (2008), detail of installation comprised of paintings, sculptures, drawing, wall painting and found objects |