Gift Economy

Friday April 21st, 2023

Gift Economy

On view April 21 - May 28, 2023

Curated by Simone Whiteley-Allen  


With Artists: Anton Auth, Alex Bradley Cohen, Jeremy Carter Doey Buff, Stevie Emrich, Zaiasia Jones, Amy Pearl Lang, Hallie Off, Tatiana Sky, Corrine Slade, and Anya SmolnikovaSimone Whiteley-Allen

Gift Economy is a collection of works from painters, ceramicists, sculptors, and fiber artists. Curated by Simone Whiteley-Allen; Anton Auth, Alex Bradley Cohen, Jeremy Carter Doey Buff, Stevie Emrich, Zaiasia Jones, Amy Pearl Lang, Hallie Off, Tatiana Sky, Corrine Slade, and Anya Smolnikova are brought together by a shared investigation of their practices relation to performance art. Many of the pieces incorporate found objects and surfaces that are repurposed, emphasizing the journey of the material to the artist's hand. Some of the works require activation by a natural element. All of the participating artists highlight intuition and improvisation in the process of creation.  

We the artists are working with gifts; from the earth, the universe, places and people.
Performance manifests these gifts. 
It reaches outside of capitalist consumption. 
It beckons for the exchange of true reciprocal energy. 
Gift Economy questions if art objects can hold this energy as well.
If art can be purchased and kept in someone's home, can it still fall into the category of a reciprocal gift relationship? 
How can we keep intact the intent of giving love which taught us how to receive in the first place?