Artist Talk: October 4, 6:30–8 PM

PRESS
artcritical

Luisa Caldwell’s exhibition encompasses personal interests that have spanned her childhood and adult life: cats, gardens, and art books. Her project is inspired by flowers and plants that she grows and nurtures in her Brooklyn garden, as well as the stray cats that come and go. On the gallery walls are hundreds of Caldwell’s botanical drawings illustrating fantastic flora. Caldwell has also created an installation of found porcelain and stoneware vases that have her own feline and botanical imagery etched into the surface. Rather than exhibiting these vessels on traditional bases, she displays them on stacks of art books that refer to the influences that spill into the content of her work.

This exhibition is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, New York City Council Member Stephen Levin, and the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature, and with generous support from The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Robert Lehman Foundation, Iorio Charitable Foundation, Select Equity Group Foundation, many individuals and Smack Mellon’s Members. 

Smack Mellon’s programs are also made possible with public funds from the National Endowment for the Arts and with generous support from The New York Community Trust, The Edward and Sally Van Lier Fund of The New York Community Trust, The Roy and Niuta Titus Foundation, Jerome Foundation, The Greenwich Collection Ltd, Milton and Sally Avery Arts Foundation Inc., Brooklyn Arts Council, and Exploring The Arts. 

The artist thanks Materials for the Arts and Thomas Hunter Artist Residency Program, Hunter College Ceramics Department, for their support.

Space for Smack Mellon’s programs is generously provided by the Walentas family and Two Trees Management.