Mariah Reading: Worn Landscapes

Exhibit: January 8-February 21, 2021

Artist Talk via Zoom: January 23, 2-3 PM (FREE)

Mariah Reading brings an artist’s eye to the practice of loving our National Parks. She has worked as an environmental interpreter and Artist in Residence in some of the most impacted parks in the U.S., from California and Alaska to Maine, where she was raised. Her views of natural scenic beauty are made directly on recycled materials collected onsite. Completed painted objects are then aligned with the physical landscape to both obscure and highlight the discarded object in a series of photographs. 

Reading’s current series “Worn Landscapes” centers on paintings created directly on discarded sweatshirts, swim fins, and shoes found on the side of trails. Taking aim at the damage played out by visitors on parkland we aim to protect, Reading draws attention to the impact of our recreation travels during shelter-in-place this past year. Both her painted found objects and photographs of them aligned will be on display during the exhibit.

To register for Mariah Reading’s virtual Artist Talk via Zoom on January 23, from 2-3 PM, please email pencegallery@gmail.com, or see our website at www.pencegallery.org. The artist will discuss her last year working in several National and State Parks, and her new series. The public will have the opportunity to ask questions as well.

This exhibit is sponsored by James R. Smith & Suzette M. Smith.