Excavations

• Sat, Oct 5, 2019 - Sat, Jan 4, 2020  

Exhibition on view October 5, 2019 - January 4, 2020
Opening Reception: Saturday Oct. 12 | 5 - 7 PM

Excavations at Gallery 200 of the Silos features the work of Ellen Ray and Erik Hagen. The two artists share an interest in human interaction with and impact on the Earth and create work dealing with different aspects of that relationship. Though they speak to the same topic, their work is distinct from each other in a way that they hope presents a compelling and visually exciting exhibition.

Ellen Ray works on paper and specially prepared burlap. Layering both wet and dry media, she straddles the space between painting and drawing and allows the viewer a glimpse at her process. The works in Excavations deal with Earth memory and Human memory, showing a shared history, and often reference strata on both a physical and conscious level.

Erik Hagen references geologic processes like sedimentation, fossils, and erosion to evoke 4.5 billion years of earth-history. The ‘Fossils’ series represent artifacts that might appear in some future epoch. Children’s toys become a broader metaphor for humanity’s relatively short tenure on planet Earth, while evoking the plastic-age of the 20th and 21st centuries. Weathered artifacts pulled from Houston’s bayous, post-Harvey, are a reminder of the transience and ephemerality of humanity itself.

Artist Talk: Ellen Ray & Erik Hagen, with Anna Tahinci, phD moderating
Saturday, November 9th at 5:15, immediately following Second Saturday
Anna Tahinci is a noted art historian and the chair of art history for the Glassell School of Art, Museum of Fine Art Houston. Aside from her deep knowledge and expertise in Art History, Anna began her career as an archeologist and will lead an interesting and energetic conversation. 
 

All exhibitions are free and open to the public Monday - Saturday 9 AM - 5 PM. 

The Silos at Sawyer Yards 
1502 Sawyer St, Houston, TX 77007