Thicket. Collage installation at the Center for Maine Contemporary Artists

Introducing Karen Gelardi

Sticks and stones, branches and pine cones! Just back from seeing a stunning show by this prolific artist and thought all of it would be fabulous in a home -- but much of her work was displayed in multiples or as vast wall installations of collage. She is working outside of what can contained within a frame, or collected singly. I was so inspired -- but what to do?! Have any AT readers successfully managed installation art in their homes?

Thicket 2, Paper and drawing collage installation mounted with yellow tape

detail of collage installation

The show includes wall-installations as well as sculptural installations of forms created from her own fabric designs, all referred to as components of nature (seeds, branches, etc).

Seed. Hand-printed fabric.

Printed Branch Components

Apt quote from the catalogue, "Gelardi's collages, paintings, prints, drawings, and sculptures function as a dynamic system of observed and invented natural forms."

Hanging samples of Gelardi's fabrics

If you are trolling the coast of maine this August/Sept, go take a look at the show.

Karen Gelardi: Thicket -- in the Loft Gallery from August 11 – September 29, 2007, at the Center for Maine Contemporary Art, 162 Russell Ave., in Rockport (one town below Camden).

Full view of Thicket installation

Inquiries? Please contact the CMCA gallery or the artist directly via email.

Know any artists whose work would make a home a lovelier place? Send ideas to The Gallery. Thanks!