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I explore the relationship of oneself to the intangible concepts and emotions that are fundamental to being human. These intangible concepts, including loss, hope, memory, nostalgia, and desperation, can only be understood within the context of more familiar experiences; for example, we can understand the idea of loss through the experience of death. By only being able to understand these abstract ideas through familiar experiences, it emphasizes how fleeting and tenuous our relationship is to these intangible concepts. And yet our relationship to them is integral to the foundation of being human.
I use materials that are adaptable and responsive to touch to speak of the things that cannot be touched. Because we can only understand the intangible through relationships, I use my materials as a gateway to exploring these ideas. I use materials that are approachable, common, tactile in nature, and that give a sense of quiet delicacy to evoke the familiar even in the unexplained. Utilizing recognizable materials such as paper, ceramics, plaster, wax, and thread in unexpected ways gives power and presence to the abstract concepts our world is rooted in. The translucent, delicate, and fragile-yet-strong nature of these materials highlights the temporal and ephemeral qualities of these concepts. The installations take on an uncanny feeling; recognizable yet unfamiliar. I create a space for the viewer to be immersed in the sensations of nostalgia, desperation, abundance, relief, and loss to contemplate ideas of place, history, time, home, and transition. Being confronted with tangible testimonies of the intangible gives us a moment of reflection and a space to contemplate the impact of our relationship to these ideas of emotions and experiences. Human existence is based on connection, whether that be to ourselves, to others, or to larger more abstract concepts. With my work I am opening a conversation to allow for contemplation of these experiences that make up human existence to further our connectedness to one another. |
Adelaine Muth received a BFA in 3-D arts from the University of Washington in 2017. During her undergraduate career she was a part of many group exhibitions including one abroad in Rome, Italy where she created her first site specific installation. At the end of her time at University of Washington, Adelaine was granted a solo thesis show entitled ‘Mimesis’. She then attended Pennsylvania State University for a year in 2018 as the non-degree Post Bacc student in sculpture. Adelaine has shown in Museums and Galleries around the country including Woodstock Art Association & Museum, NY, Jacob Lawrence Gallery, WA, and The Living Gallery Outpost, NY. Adelaine has been a part of several residencies around the country. She participated in the Birdsell Residency Project in South Bend, IN. Where she, along with 9 other artists, created large installations in the old Ziker Dry Cleaning facility, now known as Vested Interest. She was the artist in residence at the Aquarium Gallery in New Orleans for the month of February in 2020. Recently, Adelaine completed her time as the sculpture resident for the Kalamazoo Institute of Art where she helped pioneer their remote residency program from upstate New York, where she currently lives.