Phoebe Marie Nelson: The Long Ease: Post-Cancer Works

April 11 – May 3, 2014

During the year of illness and literal bloodshed that led up to my diagnosis with inoperable Stage 2B Cervical Cancer, something was happening that I did not even realize: I stopped making art. It wasn’t a conscious decision. I felt terrible and uninspired, stressed and filled with anxiety and panic. The artwork just ended. Shortly after the diagnosis and subsequent months of chemotherapy, radiation and brachytherapy, something else happened that I didn’t realize either: I started making art again. Quietly at first. Just a few pieces. And then a few more. And very slowly, over the past two years, I began to “ease” back into the life of a so-called artist again. It was a big deal for me.

Cancer not only changed me physically (I was left infertile and menopausal at 36, not to mention a host of other late side effects and a permanent fear of recurrence), but it changed my artwork as well. I’ve done collage for over 20 years, and everyone who is familiar with my work has noticed the change. I don’t think this new series is “better” than what I used to do, but it is different. Lighter, yet more meaningful. More mature maybe? More hopeful? Maybe it’s just what happens to the things you make when you’ve been through something as life-altering as cancer in your 30s.

–Phoebe Marie Nelson

 

 

Bruce Edwards: Constant Background

May 9 – June 14, 2014

It is with great admiration for the craft of film-making that I choose to use motion pictures as a source for my images. When watching a film the artistry can get lost in the blur of the narrative action as we get caught up in the characters and plot. Taking still images not only allows one to see and pay attention to the aspects of the shot, but also begin to see the relative similarities of all motion picture filming: the long shot, the pan, a love scene, the close up, etc. This is the language of film, but also the language of image. Images allow us to explore our own conceptual narratives.

These prints are meant to initiate an understanding and discovery of personal memory and narrative. They are also intended to expose the nature of screen-printing which employs a value scale with limited pallet. Each of these images is produced with only four colors (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black), a technique developed in the mid-century production of the printed media, now largely eclipsed by the small screen, computer and hand held devices. This work is nostalgic in many ways: the images come from a mid-century movie shot on film, a disappearing medium. The still is captured by camera directly from the television. The digital photo is translated with a computer into a form that can be printed by hand.

 

–Bruce Edwards

Brandt Gallery

1028 Kenilworth

Cleveland, Ohio 44113

brandtgallery.org

216.621.1610

 

 

Phoebe Marie Nelson, The Long Ease: Post-Cancer Works

April 11 – May 3, 2014

 

Bruce Edwards, Constant Background

May 9 – June 14, 2014