Fall is the true start of the year for me. It’s the time to reinvent yourself, take on new projects, cut your hair and get some new shoes. This fall I will be showing my sculpture work for the first time and I created a poster in collaboration with Minneapolis Parks! I also scored a lovely pair of boots at a friend’s garage sale and now it is time for a haircut!
(Un)Natural Boundaries and Borders reflects the impact of natural or unnatural boundaries and borders and how they define our relationship to the natural world and each other. Boundaries separate land, water, and sky. They can create a sense of place, security, and identity. Whether boundaries are physical, political, economic, social, or cultural, they shape who we are and how we experience the world.
I will have two sculptures in (Un)Natural Boundaries and Borders. Both are from new series where I create crocheted soft sculptures from plastic bags that have ended up along pathways and open spaces I frequent. With this work I am interested in the relationship between the ephemeral items that are cherished as keepsakes and the refuse we consider litter, and how the two can be interwoven. The plastic yarn can take on a gummy texture, but depending on the level of its deterioration the strands can have a satiny quality. By combining the different colors and textures I have collected I am able to reimagine the delicate, yet everyday items that speak to the fragile and complex ecosystem we have created.
Druggist Medicine Bottle Margi Grill, Crocheted yarn from harvested plastic bags, 2021
For Guests Margi Grill, Tea cup and saucer from harvested plastic bags and yellow gold leaf, 2021
Join us on Thursday, October 14 from 6 - 8 pm for the opening reception of our juried show (Un)Natural Boundaries and Borders. The work was juried by Katayoun Amjadi. The exhibition is on view October 14 - November 30, 2021 and open daily from 9 am - 5 pm. Masks are highly encouraged when indoors.
Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/177567071186687/?active_tab=discussion
I am also very excited to share that I am participating in this year’s Posters for Parks annual show. It features limited-edition posters created by local artists who are inspired by Minneapolis Parks. A joint effort of the Minneapolis Parks Foundation and LoveMplsParks to benefit our award-winning park system. 50% of net revenue will be donated to the People for Parks Fund; 50% will go to the artists.
The venue will most likely be virtual this year on Saturday, October 23rd, so you can purchase an 18” by 24” poster from local artists from anywhere in the world, even from a Minneapolis Park!
Here’s a sneak peek of the poster I have created:
Green Space Margi Grill, Ink jet Print poster, 2021
Here’s what I have to say about it:
My vision for this poster was to capture the texture of the open spaces in Minneapolis and the complex patterns of vegetation that interlock to make up the verdant landscape. Using a limited color palette of just green and greenish tones, I choose three plants that I can easily identify. As we look out the boxelder trees are painted with watercolor and just under our feet the nettles are illustrated with colored pencil. The Milkweed in the center of the poster appears through the negative space of the exposed paper. Each element fits together like a puzzle and calls to mind the fabric of these city refuges.
Fall is here, hear the yell
Back to school, ring the bell
Brand new shoes, walking blues
Cimb the fence, books and pens
I can tell are going to be friends
I can tell are going to be friends
-The White Stripes