Respite
by Evan & Stacey Smith
October 22 — December 17, 2021
High Low
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As conduits for our memories, objects can help us remember and process our lived experiences to grow into more authentic versions of ourselves. Through a narrative structure, Respite offers an opportunity to connect with our inner child and explore how the world influences and shapes our experience.
Invented in the late 1800s, the cardboard box replaced the wooden crate as a means for the transportation of products. Cardboard was light, transportable and allowed for easy breakdown and setup. This same versatility makes cardboard perfect for childhood play: its malleable nature offers great potential as the mind and body grow.
Respite uses the cardboard box as a vehicle for connecting to and understanding childhood experiences through an adult lens. As the sculptures increase in size, we become comparatively smaller, and are eventually able to physically enter the sixth and final sculpture. With each successive piece, the light and sound signify subsequent stages of our lives leading us on a path from childhood to adulthood and back again.
Evan and Stacey are a collaborative duo from St. Louis, Missouri. They use various media and technologies to create works that represent and investigate their personal experience. Evan is currently pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in Sculpture from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Sculpture from Webster University. Stacey holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Missouri. This exhibition was made possible in part by the support of Paul Artspace.
