The Primary World
MEGAN E. WATTERS
SEPTEMBER 26 - OCTOBER 17
press release
“The Primary World” is a solo exhibition of current works-in-progress by Brooklyn-based scenic and visual artist, Megan E. Watters. The collection features six dioramas that focus on environmentalism, environmental justice, and the causes and effects of climate change: from seasonal warming that influences the cost and yield of lemons… to rising water levels… to the uneven distribution of waste management burdens. The markers of climate change and environmental impact come in many forms.
In the spirit of minimal environmental impact, the artist has aimed to purchase little to nothing to make the dioramas. These pieces are made largely from recycled trash and found objects. Even the glossy paint was salvaged from a garbage bin. Its saturated primary colors serve as the backdrop for these glimpses into the world – playful yet stark, bright, childlike, simplistic.
Megan intends to expand this project beyond the residency timeline, continuing to meditate on climate issues from a social distance as she builds small worlds in solitude. Her goal is to exhibit a substantial collection of dioramas in a physical space when we can all be together again.
“The AlterWork Studios Residency served as a jumping off point for various ideas I have been exploring over quarantine. Like most, I have spent many hours staring out windows and into screens, musing about the world outside my small Brooklyn apartment. These works in progress are dioramas - windows to the outside world.” ~ Megan E. Watters
LEMONS, stretcher bars, canvas, acrylic paint, polymer clay, 12” x 12”, 2020
ELECTRIC, lightbulb, acrylic paint, rhinestones, wooden box, dice, polymer clay, 3.5” x 3.5”, 2020
LAYERS OF AIR, stretcher bars, card stock, acetate, acrylic paint, acrylic, 8” x 10”, 2020
PLASTIC FLOWERS, Luan panel, foam board, acrylic paint, skewers, plastic fruit, plastic spoons, ping pong balls, takeout containers, 25” x 20”, 2020
DROWNING, stretcher bars, canvas, acrylic paint, chandelier crystals, thread, cigar box, 12” x 14”, 2020
DROWNING (detail)
RED SKY, stretcher bars, card stock, acrylic paint, chandelier crystals, glass pieces, cigar box, dice, polymer clay, beads from my grandmother’s jewelry, 16” x 12”, 2020
RED SKY (detail)
If you are interested in purchasing work that is included in The Primary World, please reach out to the artist for availability and pricing.
Megan E. Watters | watterscreative.com |megan.e.watters@gmail.com | @meganewatters