Intersections: Helen Frederick Acts of Silence

Addressing the endangerment and degradation of the environment, distinguished DC artist Helen Frederick’s work aligns with the philosophical approach to nature found in the work of Morris Graves (American, 1910–2001), who developed a spiritual bond with the landscape and culture of the Pacific Northwest. Her pulp prints and paintings are surrounded by projected images of the forest, light-based sculptures, and sound pieces, creating an immersive, multisensory, and interactive space. Juxtaposed with some of the Phillips’s most celebrated Graves works, they reinforce an introspective experience of art while bringing awareness of human responsibility toward the natural environment.

Intersections is a series of contemporary art projects that explores—as the title suggests—the intriguing intersections between old and new traditions, modern and contemporary art practices, and museum spaces and artistic interventions. Whether engaging with the permanent collection or diverse spaces in the museum, the projects suggest new relationships with their own surprises. Many of the projects also riff on the nontraditional nature of the museum's galleries, sometimes activating spaces that are not typical exhibition areas with art produced specifically for those locations.

Credit: Exhibition Overview from the Phillips Collection website