/ Art and Art History Department

Borgeson Artist in Residence 2017

Nancy McCormack

Out of Nature
De Pree Gallery, Â鶹ÊÓƵ¹ÙÍø, Holland, Michigan
August 24–September 22, 2017

  • Abstract painting featuring irregular green geometric shapes arranged against a light blue textured background.
  • A grid of twelve dark, mask-like shapes with eye holes, arranged in three rows of four, on a gradient background of pink and blue hues.
  • A collection of irregularly shaped, green-colored blocks arranged on a neutral background, resembling abstract, fragmented pieces of nature or artifacts. The shapes vary in size and orientation, creating a mosaic-like pattern.
  • An abstract artwork featuring various green and blue rectangular shapes arranged in a grid-like pattern against a neutral background. The shapes vary in size and texture, creating a harmonious yet complex composition.
  • A painting with various rectangular and irregular shapes in shades of green, arranged in a grid-like pattern on a neutral background.
  • A grid of twelve abstract faces, each rendered in varying shades of red and pink with white, minimalist eyes. The faces are arranged in three rows of four, each with a rough, blocky shape and a textured appearance.
  • A fabric artwork featuring various black print designs on a light pink background. The designs include abstract shapes, a jug, rectangular forms, and two masks with eyes visible.
  • Two abstract sculptures are placed on a white shelf against a plain background. The sculpture on the left is a solid golden brown shape, while the one on the right features a vibrant mix of colors, including pink, yellow, white, and black, with abstract floral patterns.
  • Two abstract paintings side by side on a white shelf. The painting on the left features a complex pattern of overlapping arrows in shades of green, pink, gray, and yellow. The painting on the right displays a series of black, curved lines forming a diamond pattern on a light blue background with orange and pink edges.
  • A gallery wall displays various artworks, each on individual small shelves. The pieces include prints, paintings, and sculptures with intricate patterns and vibrant colors, reflecting themes of artifact, nature, and constructed culture as described in the exhibition statement.
  • A dimly lit art exhibition space featuring various artworks displayed on white walls. On the left, there are two sets of prints, one with dark shapes on a light background and another with similar patterns in pink. In the middle of the wall, there are four small paintings with green, yellow, and red tones. To the right, a piece with various dark shapes on a light background is illuminated. The far right wall displays a large fabric with multiple blue shapes. The room has a minimalist and contemplative atmosphere.
  • An art gallery with various prints, paintings, and sculptures displayed on white walls. The artworks vary in color and shape, including abstract forms and patterns. One wall features a grid of small green-toned paintings. The gallery is well-lit with overhead track lighting.
  • A dimly lit gallery space featuring various pieces of abstract art. Large green and blue geometric paintings hang on the left wall, while smaller, colorful artworks and a grid of green landscapes are displayed on the back wall. In the center of the room, a sculpture of green rectangular pieces is arranged on a low white platform.
  • Three large fabric prints hang on a white wall in an art gallery. From left to right, the first print features abstract black shapes on a beige background, the second has scattered blue shapes on a white background, and the third displays various black shapes including abstract faces and bottle-like figures on a bright yellow-green background. Ceiling spotlights illuminate the artwork.
  • An exhibition space features several artworks: geometric abstract paintings in shades of green and blue on the right wall, a series of small, colorful pieces on a white shelf against the back wall, and a large green abstract sculpture on a low white platform in the center. The room is softly lit, highlighting the vibrant colors and patterns of the artworks.
  • A gallery space displaying an exhibition of prints, paintings, and sculpture. The left wall features a grid of 20 colorful abstract paintings with nature-inspired themes. The far wall exhibits a series of smaller, individually framed artworks, each with a distinct pattern and color. The setting is well-lit with track lighting, highlighting the artwork against the white walls.

Exhibition Statement

In this exhibition of prints, paintings and sculpture, there is a line drawn between artifact, nature, pattern and constructed culture.

This body of work was initially inspired by a recent study published by University of California, Santa Barbara and Columbia University where a connection was drawn between climate change, the drought that plagued Syria and the onset of the Syrian civil war. It is noted that in a country such as Syria, marked by an unstable government, unsustainable agriculture and irresponsible environmental policies, the drought had a catalytic effect and directly contributed to the political unrest and now a refugee crisis.

This study stands as proof of the connection between disrupted natural patterns and cultural conflict. This exhibition asks what would we leave behind if the same were to happen in our own community. Sadly this has already started to happen with the droughts, hurricanes, wildfires, etc.

This work imagines our daily lives full of brightly colored devices, plastic containers and insignificant identifiers all to be objectively analyzed years later, objects taken out of context and reimagined into a new narrative — patterns suddenly revealed and our neglect for nature seeming so obvious in hindsight.

Â鶹ÊÓƵ¹ÙÍøArt and Art History Department

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