Part of (Un)Natural Histories

In New Grit: Art & Philly Now, the 2021 inaugural exhibition for the Daniel W. Dietrich II Galleries at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, nine sections were designated to frame the work of the twenty-five Philadelphia-related artists chosen for the occasion. (Un)Natural Histories was the title given to the section of artists where my work was included with that of Micah Danges and David Hart.  Another frame within this frame was formed when Micah and I were invited to select and configure our work together. 

The work I presented had multiple sources, including an ongoing practice of photographing the windows of the Period Rooms at the PMA; a photograph that was instigated by a diorama project based on images at the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia; and a tribute to Ellsworth Kelly, inspired upon learning of his birding experience as a young man in New Jersey.

For the PMA publication I wrote: 

These works are aware of their place; in the museum, contemplation itself becomes the subject, while ideas about the landscape are considered. Border Crossing reimagines another museum space that is its own reimagination. With Man in Blue Looking removed from its original context and viewed in the present moment, our understanding also shifts. The blue jays are still, still looking at blue.

Documentation by Constance Mensh. 

PAFA Profile: 
https://www.pafa.org/news/mfa-resident-critic-eileen-neff-finds-beauty-behind-curtain-philadelphia-museums-081121