Material Mythologies

Material Mythologies brings together textiles, beading, metal, ceramic, and glass by five artists from around the country, all of whom are working at the edge of contemporary craft and sculpture. The exhibition features works by Sonya Clark (Richmond, VA), Mary Giles(Stillwater, MN), Teri Greeves (Santa Fe, NM), Helen Lee (Madison, WI), and Jae Won Lee (East Lansing, MI). 

All of the artists in Material Mythologies build upon the traditions of craft techniques and materials while imbuing their work with poignant personal histories and cultural mythologies. With their innovative use of functional and non-functional forms, some of which include thousands and thousands of intricately assembled pieces, these artists and their works decode some of the entrenched assumptions about craft as they relate to gender, labor, history, and what is considered fine art. Together, they have each found fascinating ways to tell stories, putting special emphasis on the power of language, mythology, and embedded narratives. It is these narratives, specifically those that address bicultural and bilingual identity, that are a significant aspect of this exhibition. Visitors to the exhibition can expect to see almost 20 pieces in all variety of media, including beautifully glazed ceramic, intricately coiled metal, and blown glass sculptures.

Artist Talk - Thursday, Feb 18th, 6PM
Material Mythologies artist Sonya Clark will discuss how her work weaves together histories of textiles and cultural identity. The varied objects she crafts reflect the rich textile and hair traditions of Africa, black America, and the Caribbean. Clark will also discuss her pieces featured in Mia’s current exhibition, State of the Art: Discovering American Art Now, and connect them with her overall artistic process.

The timing of the exhibition coincides with the Guerrilla Girls Twin Cities Takeover—a multisite, citywide festival—from February 29 – March 6, 2016.

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