I'm honored to have my piece, "Drowning Dress" included in Dress Matters: Clothing As Metaphor at the Tucson Museum of Art in Arizona. The exhibition opened October 21, 2017 and it will continue through February 18, 2018.
Susan Jamison, Drowning Dress, silk, cotton floss, lead weights, 58”x22”x8”, 2013
Opening reception of Dress Matters: Clothing As Metaphor
From the Tucson Museum of Art's website"
"Dress Matters: Clothing as Metaphor examines clothing in art as symbols of power and identity. At once functional and aesthetic, garments are worn to protect the body from the elements, enhance the beauty of the wearer, establish rank in society, and signal to others our differences or similarities. Garments also point to interpersonal issues and conditions as well as larger societal and cultural concerns. Works in this exhibition reveal how artists use concepts and images of clothing to relay compelling messages about gender, age, ethnicity, history, profession and the world around us in general. Dress Matters: Clothing as Metaphor is accompanied by a 64-page catalog, produced for the exhibition and published by the museum."
Curated by Julie Sasse, Chief Curator of Modern and Contemporary art at the TMA, the show includes work from over 50 artists including Joseph Beuys, Willie Birch, Christian Boltanski, Nick Cave, Kate Daudy, Angela Ellsworth, Fausto Fernandez, Adam Fuss, Susan Jamison, Robert Mapplethorpe, Richard Mosse, Mark Newport, Catherine Opie, Wendy Red Star, Miriam Schapiro, and Andy Warhol.
I was very fortunate to be able to travel to beautiful Tucson, Arizona for the very well attended opening of this exhibition. I met new artist friends who's work was also included in the exhibition and many lovely people who work at the museum. I was treated to a delicious dinner with a small group of museum staff, supporters, and artists at the museum's restaurant after the exhibition opening.
Tucson is an convivial and welcoming city. It reminded me of a larger version of my hometown, Roanoke, Virginia. Tucson is also nestled in the mountains but it is surrounded by a stunning desert landscape. I enjoyed my stay at the new AC Hotel in downtown Tucson. From there I was able to walk to the Tucson Museum of Art, shops, restaurants, and nightlife. The AC Hotel has a gorgeous rooftop pool, a well appointed lobby with a little library of art and design books, and it's own bar and cafe. I chose to indulge in the more hearty breakfast served across the street at the Hotel Congress where the atmosphere is more animated and casual. I met new artist friends at the opening reception for Dress Matters and we all drove out to visit the Mission San Xavier del Bac which was established in the 1600's. Serendipitously, there was a car show taking place at the mission during our visit which created a striking contrast to the historic site. I'm hoping to have a reason to return to Tucson again soon. I owe a big thanks to Julie Sasse who curated my work into this exhibition and to supporters who made the trip possible for me.
A lovely catalog was produced for the exhibition which includes all the artist's works and biographies. It is available through the Tucson Museum of Art.