Nature Made Materials

Tell me about the role the natural world plays in your work.

I’ve been inundated my whole life with nature; grew up in a family that spent all of our free time outdoors, camping, etc. All we ever talked about was what bird we had seen, or what might be blooming. I birthed a son who has been obsessed with nature since she was 8 months. So the natural world is a constant source of material and inspiration for my work.

Now that I have 2 ecologists/biologists in my family. My son and his soon-to-be wife, I am actively collaborating with them on work. They inspired the work Druse, referencing the danger of zebra mussels as invasive species. (Made of knit wire with zebra mussel shells) And I am very currently working on pieces that reference Darwin. Part of the point of My Father’s Religion is the necessity of preserving woodlands.

Where does the title My Father’s Religion come from?

My Father’s Religion grew from my experience growing up with a father who loved the woods. My father’s religion was in the woods. The family spent all of their free time in the Northern Woods. At the time I would have preferred to stay in a hotel. Nonetheless, my father passed his religion onto me.

Open Now: My Father’s Religion June 4- July 12 Opening Reception: June 17, 7-9 pm