STAGE LEFT
CHRISTINA A. WEST

UT DOWNTOWN GALLERY
JANUARY 24 – MARCH 8, 2018

RESOURCE > KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE

UT DOWNTOWN GALLERY
JANUARY 24 – MARCH 8, 2018

RESOURCE > KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE

In this immersive installation, Christina A. West integrates figurative sculptures into a space that is suggestive of a house, playfully alluding to the idea of the home as a stage set.

“Stage left” is a term used in theatre to direct actors as they move around the stage.  Though a term traditionally used to orient, it is used here as a foil to highlight the viewer’s disorientation within the fabricated space, while reinforcing theatrical associations with the installation.

In this immersive installation, Christina A. West integrates figurative sculptures into a space that is suggestive of a house, playfully alluding to the idea of the home as a stage set.

“Stage left” is a term used in theatre to direct actors as they move around the stage.  Though a term traditionally used to orient, it is used here as a foil to highlight the viewer’s disorientation within the fabricated space, while reinforcing theatrical associations with the installation.

In this immersive installation, Christina A. West integrates figurative sculptures into a space that is suggestive of a house, playfully alluding to the idea of the home as a stage set.

“Stage left” is a term used in theatre to direct actors as they move around the stage.  Though a term traditionally used to orient, it is used here as a foil to highlight the viewer’s disorientation within the fabricated space, while reinforcing theatrical associations with the installation.

In this immersive installation, Christina A. West integrates figurative sculptures into a space that is suggestive of a house, playfully alluding to the idea of the home as a stage set.

“Stage left” is a term used in theatre to direct actors as they move around the stage.  Though a term traditionally used to orient, it is used here as a foil to highlight the viewer’s disorientation within the fabricated space, while reinforcing theatrical associations with the installation.

15_300dpi

As people move through the gallery, spaces recede and reflect, sometimes offering a glimpse into another room, sometimes reflecting back the space one is in, and occasionally reflecting a reflection.

As people move through the gallery, spaces recede and reflect, sometimes offering a glimpse into another room, sometimes reflecting back the space one is in, and occasionally reflecting a reflection.

As people move through the gallery, spaces recede and reflect, sometimes offering a glimpse into another room, sometimes reflecting back the space one is in, and occasionally reflecting a reflection.

As people move through the gallery, spaces recede and reflect, sometimes offering a glimpse into another room, sometimes reflecting back the space one is in, and occasionally reflecting a reflection.

21_300dpi

Additionally, exposed studs on one side of each wall create a sense of front and back (or stage and backstage) that shifts throughout the gallery. 

Additionally, exposed studs on one side of each wall create a sense of front and back (or stage and backstage) that shifts throughout the gallery. 

Additionally, exposed studs on one side of each wall create a sense of front and back (or stage and backstage) that shifts throughout the gallery. 

Additionally, exposed studs on one side of each wall create a sense of front and back (or stage and backstage) that shifts throughout the gallery. 

4_300dpi

Objects such as sheets, blinds, and picture frames conjure the context of the home, charging this “stage” with a sense of a private space. 

Objects such as sheets, blinds, and picture frames conjure the context of the home, charging this “stage” with a sense of a private space. 

Objects such as sheets, blinds, and picture frames conjure the context of the home, charging this “stage” with a sense of a private space. 

Objects such as sheets, blinds, and picture frames conjure the context of the home, charging this “stage” with a sense of a private space. 

1_300dpi

As viewers bend, squat, and peek around corners to view tableaus, their own reflections appear throughout the space highlighting their participation in the scenes. 

As viewers bend, squat, and peek around corners to view tableaus, their own reflections appear throughout the space highlighting their participation in the scenes. 

As viewers bend, squat, and peek around corners to view tableaus, their own reflections appear throughout the space highlighting their participation in the scenes. 

As viewers bend, squat, and peek around corners to view tableaus, their own reflections appear throughout the space highlighting their participation in the scenes. 

12_300dpi

Installation views from “Stage Left” on view at the UT Downtown Gallery, Knoxville, Tennessee, from January 24 – March 8, 2018
All images are courtesy of the artist.

Atlanta-based sculptor Christina A. West holds a BFA from Siena Heights University (Adrian, MI) and MFA from Alfred University (Alfred, NY). Christina has extensively exhibited her work across the country in venues such as the The Bellevue Arts Museum (Bellevue, WA), The Bemis Center for Contemporary Art (Omaha, NE), Hallwalls Contemporary Art Center (Buffalo, NY), Plug Projects (Kansas City, MO), and Atlanta Contemporary (Atlanta, GA). Additionally, Christina’s work has been supported by a grants and fellowships from the New York Foundation for the Arts, The Archie Bray Foundation for Ceramic Arts, the George Sugarman Foundation, and the Southeastern College Art Conference. Christina is an Associate Professor at Georgia State University.
cwestsculpture.com

@cwestsculpture


UT Downtown Gallery
January 24 – March 8, 2018
Artist Lecture: Thursday, February 1, 7:30 PM, room 109, A+A Building

W-F: 11am - 6pm
Saturday: 10am - 3pm

downtown.utk.edu
106 S. Gay Street
Knoxville, TN 37902 
Phone: 865-673-0802
@utkgalleries


RESOURCE
A posting of any length based primarily on submissions but also compiled through research by The Rib. Resource shares press releases, exhibition details, photo essays, interviews, podcasts, and other original content generated by galleries or alternative sources. Resource establishes a critical dialogue or discourse for artists and institutions by simply sharing information in a network connecting networks.

© THE RIB 2017
© THE RIB 2017
© THE RIB 2017
© THE RIB 2017