Diana Rodriguez/Staff Writer
The piano room in the Graham Center is about to liven up with paintings, photographs, drawings and music.
The gallery space in GC will be home for a month to “The Nature of Nature,” a new exhibit that takes an artistic and spiritual look into the relationships humans have with nature.
Tiffany Tompkins and Daniella Suzarte, the curators of the exhibit, hope to spark conversations on how people can better admire the earth and foster a connection with life through art and mindfulness.
“With the artwork that Daniella and I selected, we wanted to start a conversation about nature, the nature of humankind, how they are both connected and how we separate ourselves from it,” said Tompkins.
Tompkins found inspiration to create the exhibit while working at Food Forest, a program from The Education Fund that supplies garden-grown fruits and vegetables to Miami-Dade County elementary schools, while also teaching kids about healthy eating habits.
“Being so close and working hands on with the earth has really brought me closer to understanding what nature is and how we are a part of it. We are it,” said Tompkins.
Artwork created by the curator of the exhibit, Tiffany Tompkins, also found as @molassess_ on Instagram.
Tompkins was also motivated to curate the exhibit while working on her own paintings, many of which are found on her Instagram at @molassess_.
“My personal paintings and artwork reflect nature in so many different ways. It’s inspired me to want to curate an exhibition about nature,” she said.
There will be an artists and curator Q&A session this Friday at 5 p.m. for a discussion on the work featured in the exhibit.
A public party on Saturday at 5 p.m. will feature live performances from yogini and majestic musician Akasha Kali, along with Philip Michael and Allan Saul from the band Moongazer.
Kali wants the event to promote self love and self healing, especially through her art form of yoga and movement.
“It’s all about flowing freely and feeling what you feel without judgement. It’s an observation meditation and if we apply that practice to how we see our environment, we can expand and grow from all that we’re experiencing rather than feel like we’re drowning in it.”
Musicians Philip Michael and Allan Saul expect to meet many open minded individuals with whom they can openly discuss nature with.
“The biggest message would be to have the art invoke a feeling of timelessness,” said Michael. “There is something eternal about our connection to one another, nature, and what lies beyond. It’s a web we are always a part of and a web that exists before during and after our lifetime.”
Saul said that he is grateful that the exhibit features art from people that believe in the power of change through community. He also reflected on his own music.
“Art can be abstract and many times can be interpreted as one wishes to,” Saul said. “I believe my music gives the freedom to people to feel themselves in a way that might leave them with a beautiful thought of what could be different about our tomorrow.”
Artwork created by Laura Cervini, also found as @ripplecreations on Instagram.
Laura Cervini, also found on Instagram as @ripplecreations, is a New York native who is excited to share her art that including pieces comparing mandala ink drawings to ocean waves shot on a 35mm underwater film camera.
“The concept is balancing two opposing forces and having them work together. We live in a society divided in so many ways and my work expresses the balance that can be found amongst any different force,” said Cervini.
Cervini meditates to balance and center herself against the hectic New York City lifestyle.
“I’ve always been extremely fascinated with the world around me and how I relate to it. I’ve always felt more like an observer watching everything than being part of it and through my work I try to examine the ideas I pull apart around me,” she said.
Artists Sara Berlin and Christina Vera will also be showcasing their work at the exhibit.
Vera hopes to encourage mindful connections with nature, as well as showcase her personal struggles through artwork.
“Every photograph is a story of my past, present, or even future,” she said.
Both the Q&A and opening party is free, will serve snacks and is open to the public.
Artist and curator Q&A is on Friday, Jan. 10 at 5 p.m. at the Graham Center Gallery Space; Opening party to the exhibit is on Saturday, Jan. 11 at 5 p.m. GC is open Monday-Friday, 6 a.m.-1 a.m., Saturday-Sunday, 6 a.m.-12 a.m. Free. Exhibition runs through Jan. 31.
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