Abnormal Growth

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Griffith Aaron Baker, Twyla Exner, Tricia Middleton

Other associated events: Sherwood Village Branch Gallery Artists' talks Saturday, November 24, 2:00 pm

Has modern-day technology created abnormal growths in nature? Three Quebec-based artists, Griffith Aaron Baker, Twyla Exner and Tricia Middleton, take a stand by creating their own forms of "abnormal growth" in a new context and ask us to re-examine our relationship to man-made objects. Can nature co-exist with new technology, or do they compete with one another? Can they exist in harmony, or are they slowly eroding one another? The artists attempt to engage the viewer in exploring the erosion of nature by technology. Typically an abnormal growth has negative connotations, associated with fungus, or distasteful and unpleasant waste. With the increasing commodification of culture through man-made objects - such as plastic bottles, computers or patio furniture, fashioned, by these artists, with new materials in grotesque, surprising and beautiful manifestations - technological waste is bountiful and detrimental to nature. Humans and the environment are being physically and emotionally affected by the waste of consumer culture through new forms of abnormal growth to their bodies, minds and the land. Ultimately, all of the artists are concerned with our environment, and what the speed of technology is doing to it.

Abnormal Growth (Installation View), 2008.