Exhibition of Work

My Grand Canyon works will be on exhibit at Pullen Art Center in Raleigh, North Carolina during October, 2010 and at Emerge Gallery in Greenville, North Carolina during November, 2010.

Grand Canyon Studies

I have been working for some time now on pieces inspired by my artist residency at the Grand Canyon earlier this year. It has been an interesting journey trying to decipher all of the phenomenal imagery that I witnessed at the canyon. I realized quickly that I would not be able to create one object that defined my experience so I decided to do studies. These individual objects may represent a single object or a significant event experienced while there. Below are just a few of my canyon studies...

This piece represents the human hand in the canyon. People have called the grand canyon home for a very long time and it was absolutely amazing to see evidence of some of those original dwellings.

This piece is a part of the modern petroglyph series. Throughout time native cultures have left thier stories all over the canyon walls. I was not bale to leave a permanent record of my time there but saw these silhoette/shadows as my temporary petroglyphs.

Walking on the canyon floor I discovered some of the most amazing textures, this piece is inspired by the remains of a decaying cactus.

This is one of many pieces that I will do about my hike into and out of the "big hole". The rock formations are examples from the beginning and end of my hike and the silhoette in the center represents that moment that I was the farthest from my life and it's normalities than I have ever been.

Seeing and the relevance of the smallest things

Date: Thursday, May 6, 2010
Time: 7:00-8:30 pm
Place: The Arts Council, 301 Hay Street, Fayetteville, NC

In Early 2010 I took a journey to the Grand Canyon to live and work for three weeks as an Artist-in-Residence, and the experience was truly profound. Please join me as I share my adventure! Through photographs and stories I will discuss the artistic journey, the personal journey, the phenomenal beauty of Grand Canyon and the significance of the smallest things.

Video Short, Erica Stankwytch Bailey

http://vimeo.com/10162589

Click the link above to see a short film about my work and recent adventures.

Grand Canyon Podcast

http://www.nps.gov/grca/photosmultimedia/inside-look-31.htm

This is a link to a podcast created by Ranger Pat Gammon, it lasts a little short of 12 minutes. During my artist residency Pat interviewed me about how I was experiencing the Canyon, he used our interview and some of my photos to create this podcast.

Hope you enjoy it!

Grand Canyon Jeweler's Bench Time Lapse Video

I did do some metalwork while in Grand Canyon with I very limited set of tools, it was definitely a challenge. I think of the work that I did as preliminary objects, sketches to help my hands have a memory of my thoughts and inspirations.

The Canyon- Clouds and Light

It has now been several weeks since my hike into the canyon, but I can still remember distinctly how differently I saw things on the rim...

I was pretty sure that I would wake up the morning following the ascent and be unable to walk, but surprisingly I felt great! I threw on my boots and headed outside to reacquaint myself with the view. Hiking to the bottom truly changed my perspective on the canyon and allowed me to see it in such new ways. I first noticed the amazing play of light and shadows on the buttes and side canyons- brilliant sun beams highlighting the intense texture of the landscape.

Next I realized that I could actually locate landmarks in the canyon. I gazed upon spots I had stared at for hours in the days before my hike and immediately saw things that had previously alluded me. I could see Bright Angel Trail, Indian Gardens and other significant stops along the way- and it was pretty shocking to see how far into the canyon I had actually been!

For me, taking the time to hike into the canyon truly allowed me to see it. I am so grateful for the experience and all of the inspiration inherent in it.

This is a Raven on the South Rim- The contrast of the tree/raven silhouette against the beautiful sky really caught my eye.

Elk munching on yucca- Wow! This guy was really huge. I watched him for some time before snapping this photo. Prior to the yucca he was eating juniper berries, using his antlers to rip branches from the tree or standing on his hind legs to reach higher limbs- again WOW!