Lectures and Talks

British sculptor Laura Ellen Bacon creates large-scale works using woven willow in landscape, interior, and gallery settings, with the goal that her work might bring intrigue into both natural and built environments. Through these monumental structures, Bacon reminds us of our connection to the natural world. Bacon site-specific works include installations for Saatchi Gallery, Chatsworth, New Art Centre, Somerset House, Sudeley Castle and Blackwell – The Arts and Crafts House in Cumbria.

Join Jill D’Alessandro, Director and Curator of the Avenir Institute of Textile Arts and Fashion, in conversation with the artist about her practice and newly created work. Rejuvenation, commissioned by the Denver Art Museum, is Bacon's first installation outside of Europe and will be on view through October 2024 in the atrium of the Hamilton Building.

Inspired by comic book imagery and iconography from South Asia, Chitra Ganesh creates wondrous animations, bold and colorful paintings, and mixed media works that center women and queer perspectives. Rejecting traditional gender roles, Ganesh depicts female archetypes such as witches and goddesses that reimagine representations of femininity, sexuality, and power. Ganesh references ancient mythology, queer politics, old Bollywood poster and songs, and the erasure of South Asian history in her works.

This lecture is presented by the department of Modern and Contemporary Art.