ON VIEW NOW: The Brio Memory Project in Three Exhibitions
Rest in Peace, Jeff. Graphite, charcoal and pastel on 3 panels of cotton rag paper, 90'“ x 44”. 2024
On view now at DiverseWorks in River on Fire, presented in conjunction with Texas Biennial 2024.
15 months ago I was invited by my friend and colleague Ellen H. Ray to participate in what would turn into an extensive journey - beginning with ideas kindred spirits were tossing around for a group show - and evolving into a major project now exhibiting simultaneously in three exhibitions. The Brio Memory Project arose from an intense fascination I developed for three unusually large retention ponds situated across the street from San Jacinto College South Gallery, where our group show was proposed. The ponds stick out in satellite images like gigantic thumbprints, way too big to make any observable sense. The show, titled Solastalgia, would be themed around that dull, persistent sense of loss we often experience as a result of environmental change. How appropriate it would then be to learn that these retention ponds are in fact shaped like an entire subdivision, one that was abandoned and demolished after large numbers of its residents fell ill, were born with defects, or died from exposure to toxic waste. It had been built next to a defunct refinery and tank sludge-processing center called Brio Refining, whose users (Monsanto, Texaco, Union Carbide and others) illegally buried many tons of dangerous chemicals directly into the ground, for decades. I came to see these ponds as retainers of missing histories and displaced memories - belonging not only to an entire community, but to the intensely violated land itself.
I responded to this site through the dissemination of drawings, videos and collected stories of those who carry memories of this place. To read about it, click the link below.
After nearly a year and a half of research, conversations, collaborations and discovery, I’m pleased to announce the project is featured in three exciting exhibitions, all on view this fall!
RIVER ON FIRE
DiverseWorks
3400 Main St, Houston, TX 77007
On view through November 16, 2024
CLIMATE JUSTICE SYMPOSIUM NOVEMBER 8-10
Presented in conjunction with
Texas Biennial 2024
Open Thursday through Saturday, 12-6pm
TROUBLING THE BOUNDARIES
Throughline at Fotofest
2000 Edwards St, Houston, TX 77007
On view through November 17, 2024
ARTIST PANEL DISCUSSION
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2-3PM
Open Wednesday - Saturday, 12-5pm
SOLASTALGIA
San Jacinto College South Gallery
Flickinger Fine Arts Center, S-15.143
13735 Beamer Rd, Houston, TX 77089
On view through December 6, 2024
COMMUNITY RECEPTION & ARTIST TALK
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26, 12-5PM
Open Monday - Thursday 9am - 5pm
