INCARNADINE

Meghan Shimek: Incarnadine

Dates: July 21st- August 26th, 2017
Reception: July 21st, 6-8 pm

Glass Rice is proud to present Incarnadine, a solo exhibition of new weavings by fiber artist Meghan Shimek. She has been trained in traditional tapestry and Navajo weaving techniques. Incarnadine, which means a bright crimson or pinkish-red color or to redden something, has a different meaning to Shimek. Rather than simply describing the process of coloring something red, Shimek adopts this variation of color to represent the multifaceted exploration of feelings and perceptions in these times of socio-political unrest, femininity, and her ever evolving journey as a single mother. She perceives red to be an intimate color, an emotionally intense color that not only literally colors our insides, but also symbolizes the struggle between opening and closing our internalized emotions to vulnerability, boundaries, and expectations.

In Incarnadine, Shimek has created wall hangings and doughy sculptures, primarily made up of various shades of red, along with a few neutral colors, to create a soft and atmospheric environment that immerses her audience in an almost womb-like setting. Viewers are encouraged to interact with the pieces through touch, forming a distinct relationship between the viewer and the material. The wool she uses is remarkably soft, almost melting in your hands at the touch. The nature of this forgiving material is so visceral, the plushy wool is easy on the eyes and immediately relaxes those who touch it. It allows her audience to let down their guards and eases them into an elementary state of emotion and comfort.

Shimek encourages her audience to weave through the exhibition with an open mind, taking their time with each piece, letting go of whatever expectations or emotions they may have walked through the doors with. Rather than finding meaning in her work, Shimek instead hopes that her viewers will look inward and find meaning in themselves as a personal meditation, using her work as a vehicle to view their world and themselves with a shifted outlook.