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Saturday, April 20, 2013
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Graft
GRAFT: Edra Soto at Terrain Exhibitions
Iron screens became ubiquitous in the architecture of post-war Puerto Rico due to the security they provided and their ability to allow for cross ventilation. Spanish design elements added character. Today, theses iron fences are not only viewed as a protection device as much as a language that pertains to the island’s visual culture. Graft alludes to the aesthetic, decorative and nostalgic qualities of these iron fences by transplanting a similar fence in front of Terrain’s facade.
Iron screens became ubiquitous in the architecture of post-war Puerto Rico due to the security they provided and their ability to allow for cross ventilation. Spanish design elements added character. Today, theses iron fences are not only viewed as a protection device as much as a language that pertains to the island’s visual culture. Graft alludes to the aesthetic, decorative and nostalgic qualities of these iron fences by transplanting a similar fence in front of Terrain’s facade.
Wednesday, March 06, 2013
Figure No.12
GAG Garden Apartment Gallery
Chicago
The Figures series are representations of shells using a single coil. As the initiator of basic forms for communal gatherings (like cups, vases and plates), the coil materializes my vision of the simplified sculpture, the iconic object and as a symbol, the Caribbean souvenir in a non-satirical disposition. The shells also possess the qualities of being protective devices for either a living organism or a myth.
For this particular setting I slightly altered the original structure of the staircase to create a shelving unit. Figure No. 12 is a 12 shell sculptures by 12 shelves structure.
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
The Wedding Cake Project
New Capital, Chicago
I’ve been confectioning an idealistic representation of my wedding cake to alleviate distressing memories that the original cake brought to me during my wedding day. I bake this cake for public events and share it with friends and strangers. The effect of this action doesn't fail in conjuring some sour memories, but manages to impose itself as a celebratory centerpiece. In celebration of my 10th Wedding Anniversary, I presented an installation of 10 wedding cakes at New Capital’s 24 HRS / 25 DAYS. The wedding cakes were displayed for visitors to consume.
I’ve been confectioning an idealistic representation of my wedding cake to alleviate distressing memories that the original cake brought to me during my wedding day. I bake this cake for public events and share it with friends and strangers. The effect of this action doesn't fail in conjuring some sour memories, but manages to impose itself as a celebratory centerpiece. In celebration of my 10th Wedding Anniversary, I presented an installation of 10 wedding cakes at New Capital’s 24 HRS / 25 DAYS. The wedding cakes were displayed for visitors to consume.
Figure No.7
Dock 6 Collective
with Navillus Woodworks
with Navillus Woodworks
The Figures series are representations of shells using a
single coil. As the initiator of basic forms for communal gatherings (like
cups, vases and plates), the coil materializes my vision of the simplified
sculpture, the iconic object and as a symbol, the Caribbean souvenir in a
non-satirical disposition. The shells also possess the qualities of being
protective devices for either a living organism or a myth.
I tend to draw upon childhood memories and my religious
upbringing for inspiration, as they are strongly embedded in the humanity of my
expression. This particular display was inspired by church votive stands.
Afterimage
Curated by Dahlia Tulet and Thea Liberty Nichols
The Roger Brown Study Collection
Edra Soto, Carl Baratta and Onsmith curate their private collections
The Roger Brown Study Collection
Edra Soto, Carl Baratta and Onsmith curate their private collections
I curated a micro-exhibitions of my own art collections,
objects of interest and artistic source material installed on a wall in Roger
Brown’s former studio, the orientation/project space.
Portraits of Life and Death
Afterimage
curated by Dahlia Tulett-Gross and Thea Liberty Nichols
Center for Book and Paper Arts
Columbia College Chicago
An intimate reflection has been my latest series of portraits influenced by African art and Caribbean culture. My focus is the simplification of the form to create a representation. In past works, I inserted masks as representations to create identity barriers. This idea is inversely explore in my new work. Masks possess the qualities of being protective devices for either a living organism or a myth. The gathering of this representation is a reflection formulated around my life experiences. I amplify my moral and emotional concerns by designing a drawing cluster inspired by ecclesiastic designs that impacted me during my formative years.
curated by Dahlia Tulett-Gross and Thea Liberty Nichols
Center for Book and Paper Arts
Columbia College Chicago
An intimate reflection has been my latest series of portraits influenced by African art and Caribbean culture. My focus is the simplification of the form to create a representation. In past works, I inserted masks as representations to create identity barriers. This idea is inversely explore in my new work. Masks possess the qualities of being protective devices for either a living organism or a myth. The gathering of this representation is a reflection formulated around my life experiences. I amplify my moral and emotional concerns by designing a drawing cluster inspired by ecclesiastic designs that impacted me during my formative years.
The Franklin
Collaboration with Dan Sullivan
The Franklin is a uniquely designed space that allows artists, curators, and designers to engage with the East Garfield Park community through cultural events. The Franklin is located in the backyard of our home. East Garfield Park is usually described as a “transitional” neighborhood in Chicago. In fact, East Garfield Park property values escalated rapidly prior to the foreclosure crisis of recent times. Since then, many properties have been boarded up and are considered a blight despite often beautiful, if neglected, homes. Crime and drug abuse is rampant and happens openly in the midst of a predominantly working class African American population. At the same time a growing community of artists have moved in for the cheap rents, large studios and convenient location. As homeowners in East Garfield Park, we have had many conversations about these obvious inequities, opposing demographics and the very obvious communication gap between the two communities.
The Franklin Collection: I share a passion and interest with my husband in collecting art. Since we are not wealthy, we started collecting art at local not-for profit auctions and fundraisers that allowed us to have an original work of art and also support the art community. Through these means and exchanging with other artists, our modest collection has grown over the years. We decided to have The Franklin in our backyard because it will give us an opportunity to open our house during opening nights and show our private art collection to the public. We hope, in our small way, to help bridge our community divide through this exhibition space in East Garfield Park.
The Wedding Cake Project at The Franklin: The wedding cake is a Franklin’s tradition, motivated by ideas of social gatherings in my art practice. A three to five-tier cake is made for every exhibition for visitors during opening nights. Each piece comes with a personal recipe card that holds a picture of my wedding day in front of the original cake made by my mother.
The Franklin is a uniquely designed space that allows artists, curators, and designers to engage with the East Garfield Park community through cultural events. The Franklin is located in the backyard of our home. East Garfield Park is usually described as a “transitional” neighborhood in Chicago. In fact, East Garfield Park property values escalated rapidly prior to the foreclosure crisis of recent times. Since then, many properties have been boarded up and are considered a blight despite often beautiful, if neglected, homes. Crime and drug abuse is rampant and happens openly in the midst of a predominantly working class African American population. At the same time a growing community of artists have moved in for the cheap rents, large studios and convenient location. As homeowners in East Garfield Park, we have had many conversations about these obvious inequities, opposing demographics and the very obvious communication gap between the two communities.
The Franklin Collection: I share a passion and interest with my husband in collecting art. Since we are not wealthy, we started collecting art at local not-for profit auctions and fundraisers that allowed us to have an original work of art and also support the art community. Through these means and exchanging with other artists, our modest collection has grown over the years. We decided to have The Franklin in our backyard because it will give us an opportunity to open our house during opening nights and show our private art collection to the public. We hope, in our small way, to help bridge our community divide through this exhibition space in East Garfield Park.
The Wedding Cake Project at The Franklin: The wedding cake is a Franklin’s tradition, motivated by ideas of social gatherings in my art practice. A three to five-tier cake is made for every exhibition for visitors during opening nights. Each piece comes with a personal recipe card that holds a picture of my wedding day in front of the original cake made by my mother.
Figure No. 1 & Figure 2
Collaboration with Dan Sullivan
On Making Things Matter
curated by Laura Shaeffer, John Preus and Alberto Aguilar
Southside Hub of Production
The Figures series are representations of shells using a single coil. As the initiator of basic forms for communal gatherings (like cups, vases and plates), the coil materializes my vision of the simplified sculpture, the iconic object and as a symbol, the Caribbean souvenir in a non-satirical disposition. The shells also possess the qualities of being protective devices for either a living organism or a myth.
Approached as an exercise on aesthetics, Figure 2 is a response to a modular box set design by my husband Dan Sullivan (Navillus Woodworks). Dan is a professional designer and fabricator. After collaborating to create The Franklin, Dan and I look to create project to elaborate on our artistic strengths. We initiated a series of events at Dock 6 Collective titled The Design and Art Series (I curated the inaugural exhibition). These events are bi-annual and are an opportunity for us to collaborate. This particular set piece was exhibited at Southside Hub of Production and at Dock 6.
On Making Things Matter
curated by Laura Shaeffer, John Preus and Alberto Aguilar
Southside Hub of Production
The Figures series are representations of shells using a single coil. As the initiator of basic forms for communal gatherings (like cups, vases and plates), the coil materializes my vision of the simplified sculpture, the iconic object and as a symbol, the Caribbean souvenir in a non-satirical disposition. The shells also possess the qualities of being protective devices for either a living organism or a myth.
Approached as an exercise on aesthetics, Figure 2 is a response to a modular box set design by my husband Dan Sullivan (Navillus Woodworks). Dan is a professional designer and fabricator. After collaborating to create The Franklin, Dan and I look to create project to elaborate on our artistic strengths. We initiated a series of events at Dock 6 Collective titled The Design and Art Series (I curated the inaugural exhibition). These events are bi-annual and are an opportunity for us to collaborate. This particular set piece was exhibited at Southside Hub of Production and at Dock 6.
Living by Example
Northeastern Illinois University
Fine Arts Center Gallery
“The apartment gallery phenomena in Chicago is a crucial component of the city's visual-art fabric, where aspiring artists, curators, directors, and scholars get to experiment free of the pressure to sell art. Edra Soto and Dan Sullivan, both well-known and well-exhibited artists themselves, display a custom made "modern shed"(Sullivan is a top-notch designer) at NEIU in which they exhibit their personal collection of Chicago artists (Soto is a talented visual artist). After the exhibition, the shed relocates to their backyard where the programming continues. It's quite a welcome change to see artists displaying their collection rather than our local plutocrats.” Abraham Ritchie, Flavorpill
“The apartment gallery phenomena in Chicago is a crucial component of the city's visual-art fabric, where aspiring artists, curators, directors, and scholars get to experiment free of the pressure to sell art. Edra Soto and Dan Sullivan, both well-known and well-exhibited artists themselves, display a custom made "modern shed"(Sullivan is a top-notch designer) at NEIU in which they exhibit their personal collection of Chicago artists (Soto is a talented visual artist). After the exhibition, the shed relocates to their backyard where the programming continues. It's quite a welcome change to see artists displaying their collection rather than our local plutocrats.” Abraham Ritchie, Flavorpill
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