Exhibition Summary: USF Art and Ecology
The Thacher Gallery at the University of San Francisco hosted an exhibition entitled “All ThatYou Touch: Art and Ecology” - which is the beginning of a quotation from Octavia Butler’s The Parable of the Sower. The full quotation is: All that you touch/You change./All that you Change/Changes you./The only lasting truth/Is Change./God/Is Change.The group exhibition featured artists whose creative practices are informed by their personal connections to the natural world, and explored-what can nature teach us about adaptation, regeneration, and healing. Why ecology? As a Black woman and an artist, nature is both my teacher and my healer.Nature is constantly showing us that everything is intricately connected, and our very existence is just life’s longing for itself. As I often seek refuge in nature, her abundance, generosity, and cyclic renewal are life lessons for my own path. I use natural imagery and materials in my work to infuse my figures with palpable energy and power.
The Snake And the Raffia Tree
Summary:
The Snake And The Raffia Tree”This figure personifies the Adinkra symbol inscribed across her face-the snake climbing the raffia tree-as the tree is thorny and the snake is limbless, yet victorious. She is anointed with and surrounded by the ironically medicinal devil’s claw plant, a name that alludes to the treacherous world we must navigate.
The Secret of Joy
Summary:
The Secret of Joy here is twofold-resourcefulness and resistance.This figure recognizes/utilizes what the earth provides-each flower depicted has healing properties.She wields the Adinkra symbol for that which cannot be burnt-meaning both our resistance and joy are in extinguishable and continue to be rejuvenated.
The Axe Forgets But The Tree Remembers
Summary:
The Redwood tree’s process of containing and growing around its wounds is held here as a strategy for bearing our scars, despite personal/collective pain, suffering, and grief.The figure is supported by the ancestors, who, together with us, comprise an unfathomable/unfolding greater purpose, which is represented by a Flower of Life anointing.
Stardust Permutation
Summary:
This image is a call to remember our cosmic identity and purpose.Despite oppression and suffering, we are indeed formed of stardust.The figure’s totems are the ancient fern, and the Bateleur eagle, symbolizing the alpha/omega. The Adinkra symbol for time’s changes gleams ever-present, representing our consciousness deepening with/transcending each lifetime.
When You Climb A Good Tree You Are Given A Push
Summary:
This piece is named for the Adinkra symbol adorning the figure's face, meaning-when your cause is righteous you receive support. He is anointed with medicinal dandelions (popularly called weeds), persistent enough to grow through concrete cracks. Similarly, we persist (with divine purpose), knowing truth and justice must prevail.