Lamont Art Gallery Exhibit: Lush Life
From Mar. 23 to May 2, The Lamont Gallery invites the Exeter community to visit its newest exhibit, “Lush Life,” featuring the work of five different artists—Natalie Andrew, Sean Beavers, Gloria Calderón-Sáenz, Bear Kirkpatrick and Laura Morrison—along with a collaborative installation by Jung Mi Lee, Jon Sakata and John Ellis. The artwork explores the natural world and the effect that humans have on it, encouraging us to cultivate our imagination and consider our own ecological footprint by expressing the beauty and fragility of our world.
From colorful, elaborately embroidered plants made of old knit sweaters and blankets to landscapes and rivers intricately carved into blocks of wood, “Lush Life” displays a rich variety of work. Still life paintings of sunsets and beaches hang on the walls next to vivid collages of layered photographs and textures. Moss, fungi, ferns and winding black spikes grow from a coffee table in the middle of the room.
Lauren O’Neal, the director and curator of the Lamont Gallery, notes that “Nature is not just the green and growing—it encompasses a whole complex, living system that extends from the cellular to the celestial. The work in the exhibition reflects that dynamism and complexity through the use of materials ranging from felt to digital photography—the world, and the way you can interpret it—is exponential.”
Each artist expresses the natural world and the impact humans have on it differently. Artist and biologist Natalie Andrew builds living moss sculptures which contain her personal narrative: The Embryo Series describes her frustration at undergoing five unsuccessful rounds of in vitro fertilization. Exeter alumnus Bear Kirkpatrick ‘84 creates richly-textured photographic portraits which combine history, science and nature. Laura Morrison imagines lush, wild post-apocalyptic nature, and creates colorful organisms knit and embroidered from natural fibers, delicate beads and metallic threads.
Morrison stitches all her work by hand and explains that although slow and labor-intensive, it “forces a deep, physical connection to [her] art.” Gloria Calderon-Saenz’s intricately carved woodblocks and prints are inspired by rivers, flora and fauna. Sean Beavers paints meticulous still lifes and landscapes that explore ephermeral moments in nature. PEA piano instructors Jung Mi Lee and Jon Sakata and architect John Ellis created a video installation exploring climate systems and perception.
As Morrison said, “Each artist represents a different aspect of the natural world which creates a rich environment for the viewer to experience.”
As winter fades and spring blossoms, an exhibition full of beautiful artwork rich in color and texture will refresh and awaken the Exeter community. Prep Sara Myers said, “The transition from winter to spring is rough on everybody's spirits. It was refreshing to get a glimpse of life without the dreary weather.” Paintings of rich landscapes and beaches, block prints of winding rivers and sculptures made of moss remind the Exeter community that the snow is melting and spring is almost here.
“Lush Life” offers a chance to meditate on the themes of environmentalism and sustainability which have recently been important areas of discussion in the Exeter community. O’Neal explained that “Lush Life” communicates the idea that “we live in a world that is both fragile and resilient, and infinitely complex. How we respond to the natural world and to each other, and how we visualize this interdependent relationship, involves ethical, ecological and aesthetic choices.”
For many students, exhibitions such as “Lush life” offer an escape from everyday life at Exeter while providing a thought-provoking and meaningful experience. Lower Kate Haering said, “Not only does this event invite new people into the Exeter community, but also students get to see interesting artwork while getting a break from the academic world.”
Others enjoy attending exhibitions such as these because it helps them to engage in discussion about controversial subjects, such as climate change. Going forward, more events such as “Lush Life” will benefit the Exeter community, uniting them in discussion about important global issues and demonstrating the power of expression.
The unique aspects of the natural world expressed in “Lush Life” and its pertinent dialogue on global climate change issues will provide a meaningful experience for all. As O’Neal said, “The work in ‘Lush Life’ does not promote one message, but rather makes spaces—literal and metaphorical—for viewers to come to their own conclusions.”