Garland Farwell – Stars Fell
April 30 - July 12
Second Floor Connector Gallery
This exhibition round includes works provided by Garland Farwell which will be on view in the Second Floor Connector Gallery from April 30 – July 12, 2025. Lowe Mill A&E invites patrons and art lovers to join us for Open Studio Night, a building-wide experience when our over 150 studios will be open to the public. The evening also includes receptions for all seven of our gallery spaces. This series gives the public a chance to meet and interact with visiting artists and discuss their work as it is on display and available for purchase. Come out, enjoy a pleasant evening, and maybe you’ll find that special piece of art that speaks to you! The Open Studio Night reception is Saturday, July 12 from 5-7 pm.
About the exhibit:
Stars Fell is part of an ongoing examination of folk art and quilting as visual narratives. Crafted from salvaged wood and tin, the works play a role in the preservation of memory and the acknowledgement of human experiences through generations. It is an intersection of aesthetics and function.
Stars Fell references ‘Stars Fell on Alabama’, a 1934 novel by Carl Carmer about his experiences living in Alabama as a young transplant from New York. Writing about the people, places, and events he witnessed, Carmer illuminated the ordinary and extraordinary of Alabama. Its myths and legends alongside its everyday life. Similarly, the Stars Fell exhibit pays homage to Alabama in that the raw material of the work was found here only. Each board and slat bears witness and tells many stories. It is my hope that the work reflects back the experiences of multitudes.
About the artist:
After many years working as a theater and puppetry artist in New York City I journeyed to the Alabama Black Belt to explore Folk Art, Rural Art, and Outsider Art. In this journey I’ve found great inspiration and discovered new creative paths. An intended two-month stay in rural Alabama has morphed into more than 16 years. My art practice has transformed to reflect this new environment. By adapting the practical and humble approach to life and creativity of the people of the rural south, my process has become more streamlined and the work, while encountering its share of challenges, flows more effortlessly.
While art and design traditions such as quilting and hex sign painting are major influences on my work, the primary materials of my practice are reclaimed wood, rusted metals, and old house paint.
I prioritize natural processes of deterioration and decay, often weaving in fragments of the scorched and burned. In this regard, my function is artist as well as principal organizer. Climate, the environment and time are my collaborators, determining textures, tones, and depth of colors.