Montreal-born Penelope Stewart has transformed yet another room – this time in a California gallery – with her extraordinary architecture, covering the walls with succulents, baroque tiles and lotus pods all cast from beeswax. The installation is part of a tribute to bees in a new exhibition called Swarm, at Ganna Walska Lotusland, a public estate and gardens in Santa Barbara, where Stewart is artist in residence.
The Toronto-based artist was inspired by the plantings at the estate, purchased in 1941 by Madame Ganna Walska, a Polish opera singer and socialite who spent 43 years creating Lotusland. Stewart was taken with the juicy succulents that flourish in the desert garden, the ceramic tiles that pop up everywhere and the exotic fountain and faucet fittings – all now reflected in her installation. (Above: Detail – baroque tiles, pineapples, doorknobs, candelabra / Below: The succulent wall.)
Stewart has a multi-disciplinary practice comprising installation, sculpture, photography and works on paper. But it is her unique sensory architecture that has brought her particular prominence in Canada, the U.S., Australia, France, Italy and other countries in the last few years. (Above /Below: Apian Screen II, (solo) at the Musée d’Art de Joliette, Québec) See a great post on the emergence of her work on Edible Geography, here.
Stewart has a number of fascinating blog posts here about her prep and installation for the exhibit in California. Below, tiles from a variety of her work. See her website, here.
Fascinating and lovely.
Great word for it – lovely.
Reblogged this on A Cup of Tea With This Crazy Nia and commented:
What a great and amazing art…
This is excellent and I fall in love. Thank you so much for sharing with us. Love, nia
Nia – I agree it’s amazing. And thanks for the re-blog.
The scale of this project makes it so full of impact. Honestly though, I would love to smell the installation almost as much as I would like to see it.
Yes, I was stunned by the power of this technique, especially the huge walls. You know, she mentions the smell and so do a lot of the critics. I think that might be part of the appeal.
Again, amazing what artists think up! I wonder how malleable that stuff really is and if it can be melted down and reused once the installation is over? It seems people were allowed to touch it by looking at the photos here and on the other site. The colors are so warm and welcoming. Like Micah said, I want to smell it!
Great comment about the malleability. I think it’s pretty malleable, but I don’t know about re-use. Her blog process shots show a lot of handling even before it becomes tiles or extruded objects, so it must be pretty strong.
Oh that’s amazing. I don’t visit your site half as much as I want to – wish I had more time. But thanks so much for posting
You’re so welcome – and just drop by when you’re able!
This is wonderful! I have seen some very interesting and exciting art on this site. I am never disappointed. Thank you Boomer!
You’re one of the most appreciative and appreciated followers i have!! You’re welcome.
This artwork is absolutely incredible! To see it in person must be amazing. Thanks for delivering these gorgeous works, every week without fail, and making our lives richer!
I love that there are so many stimulating Canadian artists out there (sadly, so many of them not working in this country) and that there are folks like you and other followers so taken with their work. Thank you!
the smell & the sound.
the full room installation must absorb sound differently.
i’d hate to have to dust the pieces!! but they are very
intricate & gorgeous in their tones.
Hey Michelle – I didn’t think about the sound, great point. I’m with you on the tones. There’s a bit of info on her blog (progress shots) about the differing hues, which are fascinating.
Exquisite! Thanks for introducing her work here. Absolutely marvelous, the way she includes all of the senses in such beautiful art. xoxo!
Very glad you enjoyed – true about all the senses, complete envelopment.
Great website! I am loving it!! Will be back later to read some more. I am taking your feeds also.