Arts + Literature Laboratory presents Willow Sanctuary an exhibition by the artist, master naturalist, land steward, and environmental educator, mars. This exhibition, organized by the community curation project, LAB^4, will be on display from Tuesday, July 8, 2025, through Friday, August 29, 2025.
A reception for all current exhibitions will be held on Thursday, July 17, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm.
I am deeply encouraged by the possibility of highlighting women builders and connecting people and plants through place and curiosity. Willow chose me to create tangible memories as a vessel for deeper connectivity to living beings and spaces via Art, Science, and Culture. As an Artist, Ecological Restorationist, and representation of my Ancestors wildest dreams, I am joyful to be a part of watering seeds of interest around honoring Art as common soil to cultivate germination of ideas, curiosity, and connection.
Sojourner Truth, born Isabella Baumfree, secretly constructed a woven Sanctuary using found woody vegetation in a hidden space adjacent to a creek near land she was forced to steward during her enslavement. She created this structure as a safe space to communicate with Spirit and Ancestors; a respite from her daily life. She had to carry out construction of the Sanctuary as well as any spiritual practice in secret because she would be severely punished or murdered if the Sanctuary, or her practice were found out. Willow Sanctuary is placed out in the open for all to see and interact with. Honoring the determination, strength, and vigor of African and American-Black Women, our stewardship, and Divine connection with Earth; place, plant, and people. Traditional construction of temples and sacred spaces forms the visitor's body into a bowing position in order to enter, causing a sense of reverence for space and self. These eco-sculptures are meant to invite introspection; How much space do I require? Conservation of place, plant, and person. Considering ecological values of local plant beings (“Native Plants”) within ecosystems and exploring different perspectives of the definition of value and form. Through the construction of these Willow Sanctuaries we honor Ancestral connections with plants, places, and people. I have harvested deep inspiration from women builders from Kenya and Ethiopia, as well as Queen-Mother Sojourner Truth. Building these organic, architectural eco-sculptures that allow the community to engage via play and education in hands on cultural, traditional building methods provides the opportunity to reflect on the importance of balance. Creating a safe space to reflect and connect, utilizing natural materials, building with our hands, reminds us to live in gratitude.
Feature photo credit: Ron Lutz II ~ Photographer
