Featured image:Â Constellations: Seven Social Sisters and the Big Dipper, Stacey Gregory, 2021, mixed media, 36 x 40 in. / 91.44 x 101.6 cm.
Stacey Gregory's work challenges viewers to contemplate the intersections of technology, history, and societal values.
Stacey Gregory is a contemporary artist known for her mixed-media assemblages that explore themes of technology, history, and social justice. Her work often critiques modern societal structures, encouraging reflection on the moral implications of progress.
Her art pieces, characterized by meticulous mixed-media assemblages, invite us to explore the tension between innovation and tradition, between the artificial and the organic. In works like The Penny Test - Ledbetter v Goodyear, In The Future of the Garden of Good and Evil, and The Shield of Achilles, Gregory deftly merges historical narrative with modern critique, provoking thought on the persistent relevance of these themes.
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The Penny Test - Ledbetter v Goodyear (2020)
The Penny Test - Ledbetter v Goodyear is a powerful commentary on labor rights, gender equality, and corporate responsibility. By incorporating elements like a Goodyear tire studded with pennies and a subtle nod to dissent, Gregory captures the economic and symbolic weight of the Ledbetter case. The use of pennies, a symbol of minimal financial value, underscores the underappreciation of labor, particularly women's labor, within corporate structures. The physicality of the tire, rugged and industrial, contrasts sharply with the delicate balance of the pennies, representing the precarious nature of workers' rights.
In The Future of the Garden of Good and Evil (2024)
Gregory’s In The Future of the Garden of Good and Evil is a visual exploration of the dichotomy between technological advancement and the natural world. This assemblage presents a post-apocalyptic vision where flora and fauna are intricately interwoven with technological components. The piece is a stark reminder of the consequences of unchecked technological growth and its potential to both save and destroy. The corten steel box encapsulates this tension, with the rusted material representing decay and the electronic elements symbolizing modernity. The grid in the background, featuring historical technological inventions, serves as a timeline of human ingenuity, raising questions about the moral implications of such progress.
The Shield of Achilles (2021)
Inspired by Homer’s Iliad, The Shield of Achilles is a modern reinterpretation of the epic’s iconic imagery. Gregory uses this ancient artifact as a canvas to juxtapose contemporary themes such as climate change, political strife, and scientific discovery. The concentric rings of the shield are not just ornamental but serve as a chronological map of human conflict and achievement, from early warfare to the atomic age. The piece’s large scale and detailed craftsmanship demand the viewer’s attention, urging them to reflect on the cyclical nature of history and the enduring impact of war and peace on human civilization.
Stacey Gregory’s works are more than just visual art; they are profound statements on the complexities of the human condition. Each piece offers a deep dive into the societal, environmental, and technological issues that shape our world today. Through her innovative use of mixed media, Gregory invites us to question the cost of progress and to consider the delicate balance between good and evil in our own lives.
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Coral Reef in the Garden of Good and Evil, Stacey Gregory, 2024, mixed media, 30 x 24 in. / 76.2 x 60.96 cm.
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