make a ruckus
make a ruckus
SUMMARY
A continuation of the stitched collage technique Campbell began experimenting with in 2018, Campbell’s project for Aquarium Gallery reimagines collage through the exploration of appliqué, quilting, sculpture and surrealism. A central component of this exhibition is a set of large-scale paper installations comprised of nearly 200 square feet of magazine pages stitched together by hand and machine. Speaking to themes of nature and the boldness of life to persevere, Paper Lantern seeks to praise what brings us light.
A collection of other stitched collage works will be on view and available for purchase, including the Mini Series and Impact Series. Refreshments will be provided, and donations to Aquarium Gallery are encouraged.
ARTIST STATEMENT
It is my hope that Paper Lantern reminds visitors of what brings them light, and the life that grounds them. For me, making paper art is light, and the behavior of magazine paper has always been a catalyst for my work. It is playful, it can be curled like ribbons, sewn like fabric, or drenched in paste and never lose its color. This playfulness makes it resilient - like us - and makes it perfect for collage, a practice that mimics life itself. We are present, we destruct, we find place, and we put ourselves back together.
When I speak of Paper Lantern praising what brings us light, I am not only speaking of moments that bring us bliss or happiness, but the parts of life we cling to when we are hopelessly crestfallen. Paper Lantern praises the things that move our feet and place them firmly on the ground when it seems like darkness is all around us. Paper Lantern celebrates the lights at the end of tunnels, and the moments that show us who we could be, if only we were a bit more like ourselves.
