This exhibition presents the work of artists who transcend the inherent nature and everyday reality of common objects, through their exploration of materiality. From a hospital gurney reimagined as an artwork stretcher to everyday textiles transformed into paintings and sculpture, from painted canvas repurposed as fabric to delicate paper sculptures, the works on view invite a closer look. Employing practices such as collage, assemblage, juxtaposition, pairing, and the accumulation of similar or disparate elements, these artists breathe new life into their chosen disciplines, materials, and objects.
As you explore the exhibition, we encourage you to draw thematic connections and contrasts. For instance, consider how artists like Nick Cave, Edouard Duval-Carrié, and Vibha Galhotra tackle darker themes through colorful, appealing objects; sometimes laced with humor, in the case of Red Grooms, and Joyce J. Scott. Material comparisons also reveal fascinating insights, such as the shared use of paper by Hiromi Moneyhun, Lesley Dill, and Red Grooms, or the exploration of fiber by Miriam Shapiro, Diane D. Lorio, Lukas Samaras, and Kerry Phillips. Notice how many of these artists elevate everyday objects—be it a ghungroo bead, a basket, a sheet of paper, or a bedsheet—into a profound art form.
The rich diversity of works on display celebrates the infinite creative potential of the artist, showcasing the boundless possibilities for transformation and transcendence when an object’s original purpose is reimagined through the artist’s vision.
