Art exhibit revolves around intelligence of non-human life
Ben Bailey Art Gallery -
08/30/18 -
09/28/18
julie.navejar@tamuk.edu or 361-593-2590
The Ben Bailey Art Gallery at Texas A&M
University-Kingsville is currently the temporary home of an art exhibit
entitled KIN, by Texas native Cassie Normandy White. The
exhibit will be on display until Friday, Sept. 28. An artist reception
will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 21.
The title of White’s exhibit comes from the proposal of
environmental forest biologist Robin Wall Kimmerer, who suggests “we
replace the standard ‘it’ with the pronoun ‘ki’ for singular use and
‘kin’ for plural use so that we may shift our worldview of non-human
life as objects, and instead recognize their being-ness.”
“Kimmerer’s research catalyzed a curiosity and passion
for learning from the natural world, which led me down paths of inquiry
across fields of forest ecology, animal behavior and plant cognition,”
White said. “This research revealed who we live within a culture that
assumes a hierarchy of value where humans, and especially human
intelligence, is placed on top.
“We are now learning how non-human life is capable of
behaving in ways that suggest intelligence, through mechanisms different
than our own. Steeping in this research has shifted the way I engage
with my natural surroundings and has molded my current creative
process,” she added.
“My subjects reflect the overlooked: they are either
miniscule, common or hidden, easily receding into the background of
everyday experience. Given time and observation, these seemingly banal
subjects are reminders of the mystery, complexity and coincidence of
life on earth,” White said.
“My work weaves curiosity with materials, an interest in
process, and unforeseen results that occur when these two meet,” she
said. “This leads to a type of generative darkness, where
experimentation guides decision-making and surprises drive me to explore
further. This body of work uses three distinct ways of working to
address common forms of life interacting with water, soil and air.
“I utilize man-made materials to evoke natural phenomena,
and reveal the complexity of these unseen worlds through visual
representation. I hope to encourage observation, so that we may begin
acknowledging and appreciating the wonders and mysteries of kin who
surround us,” White said.
About Cassie Normandy White
Cassie Normandy White was born in San Antonio and grew up
in Austin. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Printmaking
from Texas State University. She has worked at Flatbed Press in Austin and was the
printmaking studio technician at Austin Community College prior to
moving to Corpus Christi. More recently, White completed her Master of Fine Arts in Printmaking from Tulane University in New Orleans.
The Ben Bailey Gallery is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, call 361-593-3401.
-TAMUK-
