PHELAN MEEKExhibition Proposal

Fertile Ground

Medium: Mixed Media Size: Varied

Date: 2007-2009

Fertile Ground

All art is a journey but this show represents the evolution of the self of an artist and a woman. When I started fabricating sculpture, I worked in welded steel. I loved, and still do, the feeling of being able to do anything after learning how to cut and weld steel. The world was at my fingertips.

Around the same time this feeling took hold I began studying archeological evidence of woman centered cultures from thousands of years ago. This coupled with my background in psychology led me to imagine the female in a different way. My materials began shifting from steel to resin, plaster and glass and my pieces shifted from demonstrating the archeological woman to examining the female archetype.

What did it mean to be a woman? What was the historical basis for womanhood? What were the

psychological underpinnings of being female?

My research and sense of womanhood historically and to the present was that her primary attribute was being connected to the Earth. Although this connection gave her strength, throughout relatively recent history she had been boxed in by perceptions and misperceptions. As a result women felt themselves fragile and breakable when in fact they were powerful due to their connection with earth, fertility and emotion. Hence, the title, Fertile Ground.

The pieces in this proposed show exemplify woman's connection to the earth, how women can turn seeming fragility into strength and how to discover the potency in female sensibility.

Sample Artworks

Madalena, A Tribute to Ivan LinsResin, crushed glass, bird nest, tree branches, Australian Banksia

pods, encaustic on paper, wood. 33x28x7in., 2009

Madalena, A Tribute to Ivan Lins

Ivan Lins is a Brazilian singer/composer whose mostpopular song is called “Madalena.” I love his music so much that I have several of his albums loaded into my mp3 player. One day as I stood in my studio withthe mp3 player plugged into my ears, “Madalena” began to play and this piece began to appear in my mind. Lins’ “Madalena” is a love song. My “Madalena”is a love song to the beauty, fragility and strength ofwoman through her connection to her self and to theEarth.

I Long for the Cardinal, RedResin, crushed glass, found objects, encaustic on paper, window.

24 x 34 in. 2009

Inside View

Outside View

I Long for the Cardinal, RedAfter many failed attempts to become pregnant I had reached the end. This was my last time. After the embryo was implanted I stayed in bed for a week thinking this would help the embryo incubate. I was determined. As I looked out the window the following poem came to me:

I Long for the Cardinal, Red

A menage a trois of mourning dovesFights on the ground amongst the dirt and seedsFinches couple, chickadees acrobat and squirrels somersault on branches

But, I long for the Cardinal

On the fence across the yardA flash

TodayTomorrow?

Red

(The pregnancy was successful.)

Homage to a Fragile SelfResin, crushed glass, photo transfer, holy water fount, wood, paint. 33x28x7in. 2008

Homage to a Fragile Self

As the torso made of resin and crushed glass cameout of the mold I realized that this thing that appearedfragile was in fact strong and hard. This inspired me to create a religious type of reliquary to display the torso asIt seemed that the strength inherent in fragility shouldbe honored in a prayerful way. This sense of the strengththat comes from being in being in touch with one’s fragility became a central theme in my work after completion of this piece.

A Buddha is Born Every Second of Every Day

A Buddha is Born Every Second of Every Day

I believe that we all have the capacity fortruth and insight but that it is often socializedout of us. This became apparent to me when I would listen to my own child during her early years ( and sometimes now in her adolescence) and be blown away by her perceptions…so muchso that at one point I thought that she might bea guru. At 26 months of age she excitedly asked for a paper and pencil because she wanted towrite an inspirational story about the meaning oflife. I was terrified but in awe and wondered what the future held in store for her. Her musings continued. She talked about what it had been likein the womb and remembered being stuck and that someone had to get her out. These reflections bymy two year old led me to respect the truth within.

Walkin’ My Vortex Back HomeCopper, boots, plaster. 54x15x19in. 2007

Walkin’ My Vortex Back Home

This set of works focuses on our connection with the universe while at the same time we are connected tothe Earth. How better to connect with the Earth than through our feet?

“Walkin’ My Vortex Back Home” is one of my favoritesbecause it is whimsical and profound at the same time.It captures the vortex within and without, our relationshipwith the universe and with ourselves.

Family LifeResin, copper, burl cap. 48x24x20in. 2008

Family Life

Consider the vortex of family life. The whirlwind of activities, emotion and caring. Again, feet as the anchor between the vortex and the Earth.

Pied à TerreBurled maple slice, tree bark, Australian Banksia pods,

plaster, paint, copper. 25x18x12in. 2008

Pied à Terre

In French, Pied a Terre means … but it also means “Feet on the Ground.” This piece which utilizes treebark and Australian Banksia pods as well as burledmaple exemplifies our connection with the Earth. Weare one with the Earth. We come from the Earth and we go back to the Earth.

Feet of Glass, Yet Firmly PlantedResin, crushed glass, burl cap. 8x11x13in. 2008

Feet of Glass, Yet Firmly PlantedTop View

Feet of Glass, Yet Firmly Planted

We are fragile, but have a relationship with theEarth. We are grounded but fragile. We existin relation to the Earth and the universe.