The Land Remembers, So Should We
By Miriam Lee, TeenTix KC Press Corps Member
What is the story of our land? The people that lived on it, the people that cared for it, the ones who hunted and birthed and died on the land. It is our job to remember and honor these people who came before us and it is our job to care for the land now. This is what the art exhibit Shimmer on Horizons reminds us. Andrea Carlson, an artist of Ojibwe and European descent, was born and raised in Minnesota, where she draws much of her inspiration. She now lives in Chicago and has had exhibits in various places across the country. Andrea Carlson’s exhibit Shimmer on Horizons, which will continue through February 15th at the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, explores concepts of nature, colonization and Native American culture. Her work is striking and captivating. The unique qualities and subjects of her style invites introspection in viewers.
Carlsons's art is beautiful; there is a boldness and strength to her work. She often uses distinct shapes and solid colors somewhat reminiscent of pop art. The incorporation of various objects, which sometimes feel discordant come together to create a collage-like appearance. She works on a large scale. When looking at one of her pieces, the horizon seems to spread out around the observer forever. What makes the sizes of her work so interesting, though, is that they are not done on one large canvas. Her works are broken up into smaller pieces that come together to create the image. She talks about how even though her work is on a very large scale, she likes to be able to break it down and hold it. The action of being able to hold her own work gives a type of intimacy. When looking at Carlson's art, you can see very clear elements that she incorporates into the image. There is a narrative; her work tells a story. Carlson’s art is not simply decoration, but it says something, and it invites the viewer to listen.
