Kin

Exhibition of thesis work by Sheri Nault presented in the Special Projects Gallery at York University, Toronto from April 10 to 14, 2017.


This work crosses mediums to explore the boundary between the human and non-human, to elicit a different sense of where the boundaries of the human lie; a reframing which is not only ecologically urgent, but suggests a reframing of dichotomic power structures as well. The current ecological state of the world is a source of great anxiety, as we near and cross more and more ‘points of no return.’ What seems to be missing is a sense of kinship, a sense of how fundamentally interconnected human lives and the life of the planet are. These works are a gesture toward remembering that we must live and die together. It is my intention to tell stories of interconnectedness, of bodies whose boundaries are permeable and overlap; to memorialize, engage, and bring this permeability into presence.

This work is situated in the context of finding myself displaced in the unfamiliar landscape of Toronto and working to methodically attune myself to this new environment. As I slowly and meticulously gather flowers, attach pieces together to form my sculptures, or draw grasses found at the lakeshore, I am learning the details of this place and the life here and developing my relationship with it. I am trying to cultivate an intimacy and sensitivity to the environment around me through imbedded ecological sensibilities, shared stories, and relayed connections.


(click thumbnails to view full images)

Thesis exhibition installed at York University including wooden displays, pressed flowers, sculptures, and drawings.
Table display of notebook pages of pressed flowers and stains.
Guest viewing table display of notebook pages of pressed flowers and stains.
Wax imprint of a hand and pages of pressed flowers.
Pages of pressed flowers.
Close detail image of pressed flowers and stains.
Shelf display with accordion book.
Accordion book with pressed flowers across the pages and in the valleys of the folds.
Grid of nine frames containing pages of pressed flowers.
Closer view of grid of frames.
Shelf display with two small notebooks, one is on a bookstand the other is flat.
Open shell of notebook with pages torn out.
Notebook held open to two stained pages on a white book holder.
Thesis exhibition installed at York University including wooden displays, pressed flowers, sculptures, and drawings.
Shelf display with two sculptures on it.
Branch with human hair flowing out of it.
Honeycomb with bits of flowers, human hair, fur, and bees wax.
Drawing of a mixed group of butterflies in green and purple, faint traces of an orange underdrawing can be seen.
Detail of drawing of butterflies.
Drawing of a mass of grass-like hair rendered in green with purple flowers emerging from it.
Detail of drawing of grass / hair and flowers.
Drawing of a knot of grass-like hair rendered in green with purple flowers emerging from it.
Detail of drawing of grass / hair and flowers.
Drawing of a moss-like green mass, a rabbit pelt fading into an erased mass of bees and drawn bees in purple.
Detail of drawing of pelt and bees.
Drawing of plant life, spread out on a page to give a faint hint of a silhouette.
Detail of drawing of plants.
Detail of drawing of plants.
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