Organic Matters

“My work is inspired by ecosystem research, how things grow and survive within specific dynamics. Patterns are seen both formally and behaviorally.”—Rebecca Hutchinson

Hutchinson investigates nature in her other work as well, as seen in Racine Museum Installation (not on view in Organic Matters).

“Taxidermy is an ultimately futile effort to harness nature; it allows us to manipulate and control the body of an animal in a way we would struggle with, or, in my case, would not wish to in life. Seeing these birds outside of, but harnessed to, the cage presents a paradox: who is free, passenger or bird?”—Polly Morgan

Morgan investigates nature in her other work as well, as seen in Rest a Little on the Lap of Life (not on view in Organic Matters).

“My drawings are equally about the natural world and the human-made environment. I have a deep respect for nature and have always seen the need for humans to act as responsible stewards of all its ecosystems.”—Jennifer Celio

Celio investigates nature in her other work as well, as seen in NIMBY (the meadow) (not on view in Organic Matters).

“Nature is more than a theme to me; it is a way of understanding life’s cycles and a language. Understanding the language of nature can help us create balance and harmony in our lives. The idea of recycling and repurposing is also part of my work.”—Ysabel LeMay

LeMay investigates nature in her other work as well, as seen in Eve (not on view in Organic Matters).

“Nature is more than a theme to me; it is a way of understanding life’s cycles and a language. Understanding the language of nature can help us create balance and harmony in our lives. The idea of recycling and repurposing is also part of my work.”—Andrea Lira

Lira investigates nature in her other work as well, as seen in these pieces from the series “IN AND OUT” (not on view in Organic Matters).

“My interest in nature and landscape stems from my longing for the familiar landscape of my home, Japan. Exploring urban landscapes, I noticed many spaces hidden under and between urban structures, such as under highway bridges and empty abandoned lots.”—Mimi Kato

Kato investigates nature in her other work as well, as seen in Landscape Retreat: High Noon (not on view in Organic Matters).

“In my work, the animals are almost always associated with humans—sitting in the palm of their hands, leaning close to a face or floating over a body. They show the presence of nature, the animal aspect of humans, and that nature is the reflection of an interior world. It is a mental landscape, a dream world.”—Françoise Pétrovitch

Pétrovitch investigates nature in her other work as well, as seen in Verdure (not on view in Organic Matters).

“The lawn is of particular interest to me because of its multivalent nature. It is a ‘natural space’ in that it is comprised of plants and landforms, yet the lawn is a wholly artificial construct, a highly controlled space requiring labor, chemicals, and specialized equipment to maintain.”—Dawn Holder

Holder investigates nature in her other work as well, as seen in Once Upon a Time in the Forest of Sweet Enough (not on view in Organic Matters).

“My recent work on paper and ceramic sculptures explore the idea of something ‘foreign.’ What I make might appear foreign and exotic, or might look familiar and comforting, but you have to look carefully to understand what you’re really experiencing. Examining misunderstanding is part of the necessary process of understanding others. I want to share that experience.”—Jiha Moon

Moon investigates nature in her other work as well, as seen in Peach Mask III (not on view in Organic Matters).

“At the time we made these works, we were influenced by post-feminist theories and their questioning of what ‘natural,’ ‘cultural,’ and ‘artificial’ were. That’s why we started representing an artificial nature, using polluted landscapes and the common tool of plastic bags to show our personal view of flowers.”—Goldschmied & Chiari

Goldschmied & Chiari investigate nature in their other work as well, as seen in DUMP QUEEN #1 (not on view in Organic Matters).

“My work spans disciplines, continents, and millennia: it’s part art and part science, has an innate environmentalism, and delves into the idea of deep time. I begin at ‘year zero’ and look back from there, exploring the living past in the fleeting present. This index of millennia-old organisms has never before been created in the arts or sciences.”—Rachel Sussman

Sussman investigates nature in her other work as well, as seen in Posidonia Oceania Sea Grass #0910-0753 (100,000 years old, Balearic Islands, Spain) (not on view in Organic Matters).

“My vision for this piece was to relate the interdependence of plants, animals, and humans to the interrelationships of art forms through contemporary media. I evoke fables and folklore because, as children, this is one way we learn about nature; we learn that nature is animated, alive, wise, tricky, powerful, and humbling.”—Mary Tsiongas

Tsiongas investigates nature in her other work as well, as seen in Vanish I (not on view in Organic Matters).

“The ‘Devil’s Promenade’ series is about the relationship between rural culture and landscape, specifically Ozark culture in Southern Missouri and Northern Arkansas. I find it fascinating how certain physical locations become the settings for specific stories, and enable you to reflect on their significance to your life.”—Lara Shipley

Shipley investigates nature in her other work as well, as seen in Klayla, twin of Terri, from the series “Coming, Going and Staying” (not on view in Organic Matters).