In an intimate pop-up exhibition titled “This will be for thousands of years,” Heather Beardsley presents work from her series “Strange Plants”, inspired by a trip to Chernobyl, where she witnessed nature’s reclamation of the abandoned and toxic site.
Vintage photos and postcards from Eastern Europe are hand-embroidered with increasingly wild foliage, often forgoing or engulfing any humans populating the images. “There is an inherent tension in these pierced and stitched works on paper, especially as we consider whether any of the images from Ukraine still exist today, and what might be destroyed next,” said Guest Curator Brett Day Windham.
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U-Nite: Collection & Conservation, September 9, 2022
The existence of Earth, its very breath, rises from the flora which decorates our beloved planet. In many ways, this system is being threatened – both by direct human interference and invasive plant species dominating a foreign ecosystem. This U-Nite, join us with special guest Heather Beardsley as she discusses plant sustainability, the importance of taking action on behalf of plants, and potential ways in which everyday people can make a difference for the environment they occupy. Through her series Strange Plants, Heather Beardsley presents a new perspective in the ongoing struggle of plant sustentation, inspired by her own observation of nature reclaiming locations such as Chernobyl. Tours and conversation with Heather Beardsley. Demonstrations and hands-on activities with ODU Botany, Mermaid City Flowers, Elizabeth River Trail, & more!
