Shawn Smith’s ‘Dissonant Data’ Exhibition At Wright Gallery Examines Role of Humans In Natural Landscape
An exhibition showcasing the work of artist Shawn Smith continues through Oct. 24 at Wright Gallery in the Langford Architecture Center, Building A.
Hosted by the Texas A&M College of Performance, Visualization and Fine Arts and the College of Architecture, “Dissonant Data” includes two and three-dimensional work featuring life-size animals, insects and abstract self-portraits.
Through this exhibition, the artist explores “how humans use data as a lens for looking at the anthropocene, species loss and habitat destruction.”
“I am hoping that people come away from the show thinking and asking questions about how the human gaze has shaped the natural world,” Smith said. “Thinking about what the role is of humans in the contemporary natural landscape, and recognizing that other species are just as important as human beings.”
Felice House, associate Visualization professor, said Smith is a world-class sculptor with a primary gallery in Paris, France. She said his artwork spans from collage to sculptural stained glass.
“His art offers a diverse and thought-provoking reflection on society’s evolving relationship with nature since the 1980s, largely influenced by the rise of digital technology,” she said. “Shawn highlights the vital role of insects in our ecosystem while raising awareness of the plight of endangered species.”
House said Smith “underscored the importance of insects not only in our food chain, but also for the overall health of our planet” in his recent artist talk.
“His work embodies humor, sorrow and a compelling call to action,” she said. “Another significant theme of this exhibition is the exploration of labor and the passage of time. Each piece takes weeks or even months to create, showcasing the incredible dedication he invests in his art. I am grateful for Shawn’s willingness to share his insights with our community, and I encourage everyone to experience this fantastic show.”
Photo by Rebecca Pugh.
