Elaborately Layered Gardens by Ebony G. Patterson Hide Haunting Messages Within Dazzling Displays



“when the land is in plumage…” (2020), glitter, glue, beads, plaster, conch shells, gold leaf, porcelain, paint, trimmings, jewellery, elaborations, cloth, jacquard tapestry, and paraffin wax, 9 x 16. 4 x 10.3 ft. All photos courtesy of moniquemeloche, shared with permission

Ebony G. Patterson’s multi-layered works are willfully superficial. The Jamaican artist weaves collectively a mélange of torn papers, tassels, appliqués, and feathered butterflies to create hanging gardens replete with glitter and vibrant hues. “In some ways, I consider the work because the flower and the viewers because the bees,” Patterson told Nasher Museum. “The bee is first interested in the flower due to its colour, but it surely’s not till you begin peeling again the layers that you simply perceive what’s occurring with the nectar.”

Usually set towards wallpaper of her personal design, Patterson’s mixed-media tapestries and smaller works are immersive and fascinating, inviting research of each particular person parts and the way they work together. Hidden beneath the apparent attract of wildlife, although, are extra advanced, sinister messages of id, violence, and demise. Likened to “secret poisons,” these inferences relate to the anguish and perpetual mourning many ladies really feel, and in her sprawling tapestry titled “the wailing…guides us house…and there’s a bellying on the land…,” for instance, female palms and limbs try to know for one thing past the entangled mass of jacquard and beads. “Every type bravely assumes a posture of misery, the onerous emotional and bodily labor required to conduct acts of devotion, the soul care that grants permission to confront historic and inherited traumas,” an announcement says.

Patterson lives and works between Kingston, Jamaica, and Chicago, and he or she’s included in a number of upcoming exhibits: What’s Left Unstated, Love opening on March 25 on the High Museum in Atlanta, a solo exhibition at Hales Gallery operating from Might 5 to June 18, and this November, on the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago. Till then, you possibly can discover extra of her elaborate works at moniquemeloche, the place she’s represented.

“the wailing…guides us house…and there’s a bellying on the land…” (2021), combined media on jacquard woven picture tapestry and customized vinyl wallpaper, 10 x 13 x 1 ft

Element of “the wailing…guides us house…and there’s a bellying on the land…” (2021), combined media on jacquard woven picture tapestry and customized vinyl wallpaper, 10 x 13 x 1 ft

Element of “when the land is in plumage…” (2020), glitter, glue, beads, plaster, conch shells, gold leaf, porcelain, paint, trimmings, jewellery, elaborations, cloth, jacquard tapestry and paraffin wax, 9 x 16. 4 x 10.3 ft

“…and the dew cracks the earth, in 5 acts of lamentation…between the cuts…beneath the leaves…beneath the soil…” (2020), digital print on archival watercolor paper with hand-cut and torn parts, building paper, wallpaper, poster board, acrylic gel medium, feathered monarch butterflies, 9.25 x 50 ft

Element of “…and the dew cracks the earth, in 5 acts of lamentation…between the cuts…beneath the leaves…beneath the soil…” (2020), digital print on archival watercolor paper with hand-cut and torn parts, building paper, wallpaper, poster board, acrylic gel medium, feathered monarch butterflies, 9.25 x 50 ft

” …they stood in a time of unknowing…for many who bear/naked witness” (2018), hand-cut jacquard woven picture tapestry with glitter, appliqués, pins, elaborations, cloth, tassels, brooches, acrylic, glass pearls, beads, and hand-cast heliconias, on artist-designed cloth wallpaper, 12.7 x 16.7 ft

Element of ” …they stood in a time of unknowing…for many who bear/naked witness” (2018), hand-cut jacquard woven picture tapestry with glitter, appliqués, pins, elaborations, cloth, tassels, brooches, acrylic, glass pearls, beads, and hand-cast heliconias, on artist-designed cloth wallpaper, 12.7 x 16.7 ft

Do tales and artists like this matter to you? Change into a Colossal Member at this time and help unbiased arts publishing for as little as $5 per thirty days. You may join with a neighborhood of like-minded readers who’re captivated with up to date artwork, learn articles and newsletters ad-free, maintain our interview collection, get reductions and early entry to our limited-edition print releases, and rather more. Be a part of now!