Erika Duque Scully: Aether

September 07 - October 05,2024

From Fort Works Art Gallery:

"Fort Works Art Gallery is excited to announce the upcoming solo exhibition "Aether" by esteemed artist Erika Duque Scully. The exhibition opens on September 7, 2024, in conjunction with the Fort Worth Art Dealers Association (FWADA) Fall Gallery Night, with a reception from 6-9 PM. The show will run through October 5, 2024.

In "Aether," Scully is seeking to explore the more mystical qualities of her work, drawing on the ancient Greek concept of the pure, upper air that the gods were believed to breathe. In Greek mythology, the aether was considered the essence that filled the space between the heavens and the earth, a liminal zone where life and death, reality and the divine, intertwined. This ethereal theme serves as a fitting backdrop for her imagined compositions, where the boundaries between reality and fantasy blur. These works invite viewers into a world where nature is both familiar and mysterious, a realm where beauty and mysticism coexist in harmony.

Since her last solo exhibition at Fort Works Art in 2019, Scully’s creative process has undergone a profound transformation, influenced by her experience of becoming a mother. This new chapter in her life has brought her closer to the magic and mysticism of the world, especially as she now sees it through the eyes of her son. This sense of wonder and spirituality has deepened her connection to the natural world, infusing her work with a renewed sense of purpose and intimacy.

Scully’'s compositions draw inspiration from the wildflowers and plants found along the rivers and streams of North Texas. Scully meticulously documents her visits to these green spaces through field notes, sketches, photographs, and videos. However, it is normally in the studio where her work truly comes to life, as she paints from memory alone. This method infuses a

personal touch into the natural landscapes, allowing her to subtly exaggerate colors and textures.

In preparing for "Aether," Scully has not only explored green spaces but also brought the wildflowers home to live with them in her family space and studio. She sketches from these living plants, watches them as they fade and die, and then plants more wildflowers from their seeds. This cyclical process of growth, decay, and renewal directly informs her exploration of the magical space between life and death—the very essence of the aether. Through this deeply personal approach, Scully’s work captures the fleeting, yet eternal, beauty of nature, inviting viewers to contemplate their own relationship with the natural world and the mysteries of existence. "

Reception: September 07, 2024 | 6-9 pm

Fort Works Art 2100 Montgomery Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76107
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