Imago
Narda Ray

Main Space Exhibition

10.16.2024 - 11.08.2024

Opening reception October 18 6PM

In entomological terms, 'Imago' refers to an insect's fully developed adult stage. This title speaks to the transformation away from my family's values, emerging into my adult principles. As a parent, I naturally expose my child to my biases, meaning transformation will also occur with my child as part of his growth. Using the destructive process of papermaking, the Christian bible is transformed from a legible text to a variety of new creations. This process and the choice of materials challenge the overly simplistic binary value system: good or bad, heaven or hell, growth or decay.

My formative years were spent immersed in the indoctrination of the church and the Christian bible which helped form societal ideas of patriarchy through gender roles, dictating to me - a girl in the church - expectations of how I should present and use my body. My art is not only a critique of childhood indoctrination but it is also a memorial of what is lost through re-orientating away from these beliefs - a loss of identity and alienation from a community. Like my spiritual reorientation, the bibles I use in my art have experienced a transformation.

Thanks to Cullen Doyle who performed and contributed to the audio track in 'Production'. Thanks also to Angie Barclay, Jenny Nickel, Katie B., Leigh Ayres Schüler, Morghan Tollefsrud, Manpreet Parmar, Pam Vickerson, and Steven Doyle for their contributions to 'To Lynn Whom I Love, By Randy'.

Website: nardaray.com