https://kristentordellawilliams.art Kristen Tordella-Williams Mon, 24 Aug 2026 14:52:25 +0000 https://kristentordellawilliams.art en https://kristentordellawilliams.art/Artist-Statement Fri, 28 Aug 2015 16:58:06 +0000 Kristen Tordella-Williams https://kristentordellawilliams.art/Artist-Statement <img width="2500" height="1875" width_o="2500" height_o="1875" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/dd07f6af18eb8661e2e6c2680441df6d734741c40635ae67f88a473c72363b01/Inside-Job-36.jpg" data-mid="245673976" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/dd07f6af18eb8661e2e6c2680441df6d734741c40635ae67f88a473c72363b01/Inside-Job-36.jpg" /> <img width="216" height="180" width_o="216" height_o="180" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/83c70c32200e38a78470365f8c22ff20a25d83c2078736369c9437cad7429539/Black-Denim-GIf.gif" data-mid="46768076" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/216/i/83c70c32200e38a78470365f8c22ff20a25d83c2078736369c9437cad7429539/Black-Denim-GIf.gif" /> <img width="2162" height="2500" width_o="2162" height_o="2500" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/ff05fa1b4d58b65beaea8ce8cad4bf9c35d3edae6006b1e67f4596998ec552bc/Home-Within-1.jpg" data-mid="252729653" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/ff05fa1b4d58b65beaea8ce8cad4bf9c35d3edae6006b1e67f4596998ec552bc/Home-Within-1.jpg" /> <img width="2500" height="1569" width_o="2500" height_o="1569" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/8af76010582ce846f1f6de7be6911177affd5d9f4e041507ba07b13d5174cdf8/Requiem-1.jpg" data-mid="166265620" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/8af76010582ce846f1f6de7be6911177affd5d9f4e041507ba07b13d5174cdf8/Requiem-1.jpg" /> <img width="2084" height="4200" width_o="2084" height_o="4200" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/9b93008cebb4bfe8428e05a99283fed485a1f2a2875605e1ebc41327238a49cb/Tordella-Williams-back.jpg" data-mid="46765769" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/9b93008cebb4bfe8428e05a99283fed485a1f2a2875605e1ebc41327238a49cb/Tordella-Williams-back.jpg" /> <img width="3000" height="2036" width_o="3000" height_o="2036" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/a5751ece44348553f88ebc062b6da06acba7cb43147178bdaa7a80849163726f/HomeWork-11.jpg" data-mid="119117862" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/a5751ece44348553f88ebc062b6da06acba7cb43147178bdaa7a80849163726f/HomeWork-11.jpg" /> <img width="769" height="433" width_o="769" height_o="433" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/515b5173b2d7c830f0be7ed48ec6604112a1c1a458242b645a087d621a1ca08c/Void-Book-Gif.gif" data-mid="211479013" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/769/i/515b5173b2d7c830f0be7ed48ec6604112a1c1a458242b645a087d621a1ca08c/Void-Book-Gif.gif" /> https://kristentordellawilliams.art/Sculpture Tue, 16 Jul 2019 22:19:30 +0000 Kristen Tordella-Williams https://kristentordellawilliams.art/Sculpture https://kristentordellawilliams.art/Home-Within Mon, 24 Aug 2026 14:52:25 +0000 Kristen Tordella-Williams https://kristentordellawilliams.art/Home-Within HOME WITHIN Home Within is a site specific, community engaged installation inspired by dark nights, Opelika’s neighborhoods, lit homes, and the hope and aspirations of our youth. The cutout drawings on each house were created by Opelika and Auburn middle school students who drew what they wanted to see in their dream homes. The drawings were curated by the artist, digitized, and then cut out of the sides of the steel in the tradition of piercework, magic lanterns or other proto-cinematic devices. The lights cycle on and off, creating a dynamic landscape of shifting light and shadow. The woven ceiling is a combination of industrial and fiber techniques fabricated strand by strand using a forge, bender, and welder by the artist and her assistants. The minimal shapes, woven steel, and flowing ceiling create a landscape and neighborhood that connects the domestic and industrial nature of the site. Traversing the space from start to end transforms the hallway into a passage of discovery, curiosity, and wonder. Home Within invites viewers to consider the stories, dreams, and aspirations that exist within our homes while exiting or entering Boxcar’s theater and event space. Dream home drawings created by Auburn and Opelika middle school students thanks to art teachers Tiffany Ala, Sarah Rhodes, and Julie Speir. Project Assistants:&nbsp;Audrey Caldwell and Basil Helms Digital Assistant: Calum MacAnthony Documenatarian: Arlie Oldacre Sponsored by: Verdant Fund Project Grant and Auburn University College of Liberal Arts Summer Research Grant <img width="2250" height="3000" width_o="2250" height_o="3000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/1713fe198f265767a3d02597f912193328c58dcc371b74683cb216bd075b1b7d/Home-Within-09.jpg" data-mid="253400278" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/1713fe198f265767a3d02597f912193328c58dcc371b74683cb216bd075b1b7d/Home-Within-09.jpg" /> <img width="2250" height="3000" width_o="2250" height_o="3000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/aadaac0f1192871616932149671528ef0ebe04fc59a645a0505f8090852b2172/Home-Within-7.jpg" data-mid="253400276" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/aadaac0f1192871616932149671528ef0ebe04fc59a645a0505f8090852b2172/Home-Within-7.jpg" /> <img width="2250" height="3000" width_o="2250" height_o="3000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/f382af92fb194a629a698fe4da0d2f8062e33801455e941427a21975f6aae653/Home-Within-4.jpg" data-mid="253400279" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/f382af92fb194a629a698fe4da0d2f8062e33801455e941427a21975f6aae653/Home-Within-4.jpg" /> <img width="2250" height="3000" width_o="2250" height_o="3000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/04012c0d1885e9d5e7b6b06429083d09145a0954115bc58a9c09a29cabab8608/Home-Within-14.jpg" data-mid="253400283" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/04012c0d1885e9d5e7b6b06429083d09145a0954115bc58a9c09a29cabab8608/Home-Within-14.jpg" /> Woven steel rod, CNC plasma cut steel, LED lights, 65’ x 44” x 36”, 2026, permanently installed at Boxcar Theater. https://kristentordellawilliams.art/Implied-Violence Thu, 05 Mar 2026 21:01:37 +0000 Kristen Tordella-Williams https://kristentordellawilliams.art/Implied-Violence Implied Violence <img width="2500" height="1875" width_o="2500" height_o="1875" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/e5daacbbc866aac91a41bb8150de0d4a556785aa46dd952e1f64d277ab478dbb/Inside-Job-15.jpg" data-mid="245674165" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/e5daacbbc866aac91a41bb8150de0d4a556785aa46dd952e1f64d277ab478dbb/Inside-Job-15.jpg" /> <img width="2500" height="1902" width_o="2500" height_o="1902" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/bd2fd6bfc98af87226d221afb198414137658bf7e23591caae3786f2503bd3d1/Inside-Job-12.jpg" data-mid="245674162" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/bd2fd6bfc98af87226d221afb198414137658bf7e23591caae3786f2503bd3d1/Inside-Job-12.jpg" /> Implied Violence is an ongoing series of cast iron and cast cotton sculptures reflecting the dichotomy of domination and submission through violent means from weapons of silencing, subduing, and control like ball gags, bull whips, and state laws. Each set captures the complexity and impotence of these tools to control a restless populace. Cotton holds the material capitalist desires to remake labor in pursuit of greater profits at the expense of our humanity while iron holds the&nbsp; industrial past and its conquests manifest in a fragile, hard form. Made in an attempt to expunge the artist’s frustrated desires for free inquiry and unfettered expression, the Implied Violence series will continue until a full forty have been completed.&nbsp; <img width="2500" height="1875" width_o="2500" height_o="1875" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/4938da60613255fbf54d91bfe36d626c8909f42fde2d4c4ee2758516029bd2fa/Inside-Job-16.jpg" data-mid="245674170" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/4938da60613255fbf54d91bfe36d626c8909f42fde2d4c4ee2758516029bd2fa/Inside-Job-16.jpg" /> <img width="2500" height="1875" width_o="2500" height_o="1875" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/1396bcb4f40a2044d6e1c4383f886cf8a4b16448adc2e70e4d94676955467575/Inside-Job-17.jpg" data-mid="245674171" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/1396bcb4f40a2044d6e1c4383f886cf8a4b16448adc2e70e4d94676955467575/Inside-Job-17.jpg" /> <img width="2500" height="1875" width_o="2500" height_o="1875" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/9b319c00e4f4ed543eb7797eaa880861d226cdd3558de544a01e51231c2752b0/Inside-Job-19.jpg" data-mid="245674169" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/9b319c00e4f4ed543eb7797eaa880861d226cdd3558de544a01e51231c2752b0/Inside-Job-19.jpg" /> <img width="2500" height="1875" width_o="2500" height_o="1875" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/dd1a7e914e03d2a2bef52632cb13f02f154f29a9e5e6fae7513d25dfc8509031/Inside-Job-18.jpg" data-mid="245674168" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/dd1a7e914e03d2a2bef52632cb13f02f154f29a9e5e6fae7513d25dfc8509031/Inside-Job-18.jpg" /> Implied Violence (SB 129), cast Alabama cotton and cast iron, 90"x11"x2", 2025 <img width="1875" height="2500" width_o="1875" height_o="2500" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/ffb470957a20ef7fca6517d018de3a7d3e294c02c87fed10bf43794e5ef69560/Inside-Job-14.jpg" data-mid="245674159" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/ffb470957a20ef7fca6517d018de3a7d3e294c02c87fed10bf43794e5ef69560/Inside-Job-14.jpg" /> <img width="1875" height="2500" width_o="1875" height_o="2500" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/453594661b7b82b86d151d96cc48c21e496642290e1ba8aa8cb6663cc5429414/Inside-Job-13.jpg" data-mid="245674161" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/453594661b7b82b86d151d96cc48c21e496642290e1ba8aa8cb6663cc5429414/Inside-Job-13.jpg" /> Implied Violence (Whip), cast Alabama cotton and cast iron, ~1.5’x6’x2”, 2025 <img width="1673" height="2500" width_o="1673" height_o="2500" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/a900c6c08fd58f47856280d23b19f11e18e283fec7058383f7456215b2937a3f/Inside-Job-10.jpg" data-mid="245674163" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/a900c6c08fd58f47856280d23b19f11e18e283fec7058383f7456215b2937a3f/Inside-Job-10.jpg" /> <img width="2500" height="1875" width_o="2500" height_o="1875" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/1ca613b3de24cd7d19c1bdd838d603a57867a8ebf2530ae4a8727810f480f321/Inside-Job-11.jpg" data-mid="245674160" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/1ca613b3de24cd7d19c1bdd838d603a57867a8ebf2530ae4a8727810f480f321/Inside-Job-11.jpg" /> Implied Violence (Gag), cast Alabama cotton and cast iron, ~20”x20”x10”, 2025 https://kristentordellawilliams.art/A-single-act-of-breathing Mon, 13 Oct 2025 14:40:29 +0000 Kristen Tordella-Williams https://kristentordellawilliams.art/A-single-act-of-breathing A single act of breathing <img width="3000" height="2225" width_o="3000" height_o="2225" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/66b45b746fa72d7fb94a64abee55339126d922491e16fd00476000fe786cf8f2/A-single-act-of-breathing-1.jpg" data-mid="239326904" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/66b45b746fa72d7fb94a64abee55339126d922491e16fd00476000fe786cf8f2/A-single-act-of-breathing-1.jpg" /> Wire, kozo, iron, ~7ft x 8ft x 2 ft, 2025 A Single Act of Breathing resembles both tree roots and lungs, with the tips of its arteries corroded and rusting. The work reflects our shared environment with the forest and our dependence on trees to create breathable air. It speaks to the interconnection between humans and nature as our breath is intertwined with that of the trees surrounding us. Created during a residency at Satoko Ueno’s Uchiyama washi papermaking studio, the work was part of Branching Out, an exhibition at the Shiga Kogen Roman Museum with Manami Ishimura, highlighting Kijimadaira Village’s 200-year plan to restore a beech forest on former cattle ranch land. This small rural community is united by a vision to replant what once thrived. A Single Act of Breathing mirrors that fragility and care, serving as a meditation on our mutual reliance and a call to continue stewarding nature for future generations. <img width="2970" height="3000" width_o="2970" height_o="3000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/9d8e82db81effcd5a1d8ab4be5d9014cfc865f0bfb25ff56ee28dba10d702995/A-single-act-of-breathing-6.jpg" data-mid="239326909" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/9d8e82db81effcd5a1d8ab4be5d9014cfc865f0bfb25ff56ee28dba10d702995/A-single-act-of-breathing-6.jpg" /> <img width="3000" height="2149" width_o="3000" height_o="2149" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/293adb11e6bac7c8f5fcb8624eca557e5a0a26a39b358a267ac47c788c8413b7/A-single-act-of-breathing-3.jpg" data-mid="239326906" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/293adb11e6bac7c8f5fcb8624eca557e5a0a26a39b358a267ac47c788c8413b7/A-single-act-of-breathing-3.jpg" /> <img width="3000" height="2234" width_o="3000" height_o="2234" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/1cd271e9f41f6e379b94e97e193524cc97b5e16cb5760ab587befe21900cd85d/A-single-act-of-breathing-5.jpg" data-mid="239326908" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/1cd271e9f41f6e379b94e97e193524cc97b5e16cb5760ab587befe21900cd85d/A-single-act-of-breathing-5.jpg" /> <img width="1916" height="3000" width_o="1916" height_o="3000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/c3676ae1adc68b52b0141af332937b10d769eaeef784f992291f3e0544b6327d/A-single-act-of-breathing-4.jpg" data-mid="239326907" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/c3676ae1adc68b52b0141af332937b10d769eaeef784f992291f3e0544b6327d/A-single-act-of-breathing-4.jpg" /> <img width="3000" height="2576" width_o="3000" height_o="2576" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/1a0fb442ef741da012e17636673571aea8108296904f9a4f22d0d1055838bda5/A-single-act-of-breathing-2.jpg" data-mid="239326905" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/1a0fb442ef741da012e17636673571aea8108296904f9a4f22d0d1055838bda5/A-single-act-of-breathing-2.jpg" /> Using kozo grown in Satoko Ueno’s fields in Kijimadaira, the fiber was harvested, processed, and snow-bleached the season before the residency. During my time in residence, it was cooked, cleaned, and beaten into pulp with a Hollander beater. I formed sheets in the Western style, embedding wire between two wet sheets of pulp. These were partially dried with a vacuum and then adhered to a steel water dryer. Once the paper was made, I sculpted it into columns, creasing and bending the sheets to evoke the texture and movement of an esophagus. The arteries were created by shaping wire and dipping it through kozo pulp suspended in water. After drying, the tips were coated with glue and iron, then encouraged to rust with a special “rust juice”. The column sheets were dragged through the residue of that rusting process to produce a bark-like surface, emphasizing the shared presence of iron in both human blood and the earth. The final work was assembled and installed on site at the museum using wire and magnets. https://kristentordellawilliams.art/Her-secret-voice Fri, 19 Sep 2025 16:48:29 +0000 Kristen Tordella-Williams https://kristentordellawilliams.art/Her-secret-voice Her secret voice, if soundless then possibly visible, might work out of her terrible mouth like a vine, preening and sprung with flowers. <img width="3000" height="2258" width_o="3000" height_o="2258" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/5100e0655902608ce88d634ebfb56d854b83e2ec3a011cebcec208f15f19d401/Tordella-Williams_Kristen-07.jpg" data-mid="238436408" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/5100e0655902608ce88d634ebfb56d854b83e2ec3a011cebcec208f15f19d401/Tordella-Williams_Kristen-07.jpg" /> Rust castings on artist made Alabama cotton paper, steel, 5’x17.5’x8’, 2024 Her secret voice… represents often overlooked but impactful women’s labor through corroding doily forms, white women’s complicity, and the reliance of the American South on cotton to amass the nation’s wealth. The fiber in these sheets consists of raw cotton grown in Alabama, processed through laborious hand papermaking into large sheets. The floating rusted forms traipse across the paper, bright orange with iron dust and are impressed into the sheets from actual vintage doilies largely produced by women to beautify their homes. The doilies also look like floating cells or falling snowflakes, connecting to the change of the&nbsp; seasons and organic matter. The cotton was gathered from discarded Auburn University soil science studies and holds the long, fraught history of the crop in America. Cotton drove our country’s wealth due to profiting off of slave labor in the 18th and 19th centuries. It is still used worldwide and is an essential cash crop and export. The corrosive rust tears away the integrity of the paper, which also naturally appears flesh-like and wrinkled akin to Caucasian skin. The title comes from Eudora Welty’s short story “Moon Lake” that is part of her series that takes place in Morgana, an imaginary, but quite real, small Mississippi town. The white female figures she describes hold space in our conflicting narratives of the past and its impact on the present, visible and invisible, terrible and beautiful, preening and sprung with flowers. <img width="3000" height="2081" width_o="3000" height_o="2081" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/05238f5d3d47be961ff1d6b1b361a19a446c06c46ce8aeec906d3ec29c380b8f/Her-secret-voice-3.jpg" data-mid="238436438" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/05238f5d3d47be961ff1d6b1b361a19a446c06c46ce8aeec906d3ec29c380b8f/Her-secret-voice-3.jpg" /> <img width="2000" height="3000" width_o="2000" height_o="3000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/2e6f1b93ac4933681553e158442ac17adf92c0d15afa87db6570ef649b99dceb/Her-secret-voice-1-2.jpg" data-mid="238436437" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/2e6f1b93ac4933681553e158442ac17adf92c0d15afa87db6570ef649b99dceb/Her-secret-voice-1-2.jpg" /> <img width="3000" height="2000" width_o="3000" height_o="2000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/ff388acdbb70e62dc911f467b82b26cf493878fcfeded6624aeaac0a227552f6/her-secret-voice-1.jpg" data-mid="238436405" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/ff388acdbb70e62dc911f467b82b26cf493878fcfeded6624aeaac0a227552f6/her-secret-voice-1.jpg" /> https://kristentordellawilliams.art/Garden-of-Earthly-Delights Mon, 25 Nov 2024 19:52:23 +0000 Kristen Tordella-Williams https://kristentordellawilliams.art/Garden-of-Earthly-Delights Garden of Earthly Delights <img width="2000" height="1166" width_o="2000" height_o="1166" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/1f314583e2292a5e1c70293f3e24d8d2b9559c0e877461b50fdc97fba1f9ac51/Garden-of-Earthly-Delights1.jpg" data-mid="222402271" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/1f314583e2292a5e1c70293f3e24d8d2b9559c0e877461b50fdc97fba1f9ac51/Garden-of-Earthly-Delights1.jpg" /> <img width="2000" height="1381" width_o="2000" height_o="1381" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/bd9282a0c85dd538a501bc4b1c0d2c3e399d37c039aa78d5f75029fd61af42e3/Garden-of-Earthly-Delights-2.jpg" data-mid="222402263" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/bd9282a0c85dd538a501bc4b1c0d2c3e399d37c039aa78d5f75029fd61af42e3/Garden-of-Earthly-Delights-2.jpg" /> <img width="2000" height="1333" width_o="2000" height_o="1333" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/40d26f6b348226f89d1cb5c3bd6bb6a946d7e59c17e4b4c3b91df987626bf9ae/Garden-of-Earthly-Delights-6.jpg" data-mid="222402268" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/40d26f6b348226f89d1cb5c3bd6bb6a946d7e59c17e4b4c3b91df987626bf9ae/Garden-of-Earthly-Delights-6.jpg" /> <img width="2000" height="1333" width_o="2000" height_o="1333" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/f044031e20b3e584cf391b3bccd9c1209b7563159014b498b92a3ff1fe1ee30a/Garden-of-Earthly-Delights-3.jpg" data-mid="222402265" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/f044031e20b3e584cf391b3bccd9c1209b7563159014b498b92a3ff1fe1ee30a/Garden-of-Earthly-Delights-3.jpg" /> <img width="2000" height="1482" width_o="2000" height_o="1482" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/bb803c389491aa0d304a0d128745ab12fc5fdbd4ddaa7fa8a8726aa0597c4e59/Garden-of-Earthly-Delights-4.jpg" data-mid="222402266" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/bb803c389491aa0d304a0d128745ab12fc5fdbd4ddaa7fa8a8726aa0597c4e59/Garden-of-Earthly-Delights-4.jpg" /> <img width="2000" height="1754" width_o="2000" height_o="1754" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/b5a23310c6bd695885ce5ea7db948dedeaa6ba8534e2fd63ec5b403af801ac7a/Garden-of-Earthly-Delights5.jpg" data-mid="222402273" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/b5a23310c6bd695885ce5ea7db948dedeaa6ba8534e2fd63ec5b403af801ac7a/Garden-of-Earthly-Delights5.jpg" /> Cast iron, 18”x36”x14”, 2024The Garden of Earthly Delights is an ongoing series of castings made from doilies and rope. Combined and cast into iron, the once flexible fiber becomes frozen in its cast iron form. Delicate and thin, with the doilies appearing similar to leaves or flower heads, their forms evoke garden detritus or arteries delivering blood to an extremity. Dyed in shades of green and transfigured into iron, the works together become a dystopian garden. Combining women’s decorative craft with marine ropes and casting it into an industrial material creates a new representation of growth, foreign and familiar. https://kristentordellawilliams.art/Nebula Mon, 13 Oct 2025 15:14:21 +0000 Kristen Tordella-Williams https://kristentordellawilliams.art/Nebula Nebula <img width="3000" height="2480" width_o="3000" height_o="2480" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/e5079b98ab00bf14dda2665124dd12d93ab81dce22978dc325e789e39a55f09f/Dark-Matter-057.jpg" data-mid="239327728" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/e5079b98ab00bf14dda2665124dd12d93ab81dce22978dc325e789e39a55f09f/Dark-Matter-057.jpg" /> Artist made paper recycled from her used bed sheets, rusted doilies, steel, 8’x8'x4', 2023 Nebula is a diptych of two large sheets of handmade paper backed with rusted doilies. Each bed sheet was pulped separately and then poured together in a spiral pattern around iron castings and sprinkled with glass, gold, and iron dust. Reinforced by the rusted doilies on one side, the decorative craft is transformed into mitochondria or floating phenomenon. <img width="2480" height="3000" width_o="2480" height_o="3000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/2716c488e68b2acc69e9ce0512ae689cc2b670506d68d67f3ab2e4a8425de52a/Art-of-Work-16.jpg" data-mid="239327711" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/2716c488e68b2acc69e9ce0512ae689cc2b670506d68d67f3ab2e4a8425de52a/Art-of-Work-16.jpg" /> <img width="1690" height="3000" width_o="1690" height_o="3000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/5071f0f0e3ac8d21fba2fb0fec0d881d75198ea6810f78ac067cfdabaa6a08cf/Art-of-Work-15.jpg" data-mid="239327712" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/5071f0f0e3ac8d21fba2fb0fec0d881d75198ea6810f78ac067cfdabaa6a08cf/Art-of-Work-15.jpg" /> <img width="2282" height="3000" width_o="2282" height_o="3000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/85b9319d5c45964e9537e6ac29d6943a3b5471003bc5fe67ca0412f69fe8ff58/Art-of-Work-12.jpg" data-mid="239327713" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/85b9319d5c45964e9537e6ac29d6943a3b5471003bc5fe67ca0412f69fe8ff58/Art-of-Work-12.jpg" /> <img width="2233" height="3000" width_o="2233" height_o="3000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/4d40f8db8bfcbe139696e4ea43c825fd71c797cdc97b5e3828758f9cc4f7b992/Art-of-Work-13.jpg" data-mid="239327714" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/4d40f8db8bfcbe139696e4ea43c825fd71c797cdc97b5e3828758f9cc4f7b992/Art-of-Work-13.jpg" /> <img width="2132" height="3000" width_o="2132" height_o="3000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/f840a4588a33cf3a354c3e7775320e9d5ab291fc5e1c9d636420306e7a0b7fdd/Art-of-Work-14.jpg" data-mid="239327715" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/f840a4588a33cf3a354c3e7775320e9d5ab291fc5e1c9d636420306e7a0b7fdd/Art-of-Work-14.jpg" /> The Art of Work,&nbsp; Auburn University Research and Innovation Campus, Huntsville, AL. <img width="2341" height="3000" width_o="2341" height_o="3000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/88a5b9e84ccf4da98cab5891006936c59f23556473308ceb3f9bf754c62eecd4/Dark-Matter-068.jpg" data-mid="239327720" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/88a5b9e84ccf4da98cab5891006936c59f23556473308ceb3f9bf754c62eecd4/Dark-Matter-068.jpg" /> <img width="3000" height="2956" width_o="3000" height_o="2956" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/205988a10f13423d49b174b6239637283ce51ae28e9a7f90f4af24da7e8802f1/Dark-Matter-067.jpg" data-mid="239327721" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/205988a10f13423d49b174b6239637283ce51ae28e9a7f90f4af24da7e8802f1/Dark-Matter-067.jpg" /> <img width="3000" height="2393" width_o="3000" height_o="2393" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/f41e62e6ce50a002a402f5e765df254765992884dcf1d0bf849731747c09814b/Dark-Matter-064.jpg" data-mid="239327722" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/f41e62e6ce50a002a402f5e765df254765992884dcf1d0bf849731747c09814b/Dark-Matter-064.jpg" /> <img width="2402" height="3000" width_o="2402" height_o="3000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/a56f8e181b9d9967aa7b1b8e25b6473a25d1aa9c34899947f74ac1860b6e8905/Dark-Matter-059.jpg" data-mid="239327723" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/a56f8e181b9d9967aa7b1b8e25b6473a25d1aa9c34899947f74ac1860b6e8905/Dark-Matter-059.jpg" /> <img width="1727" height="3000" width_o="1727" height_o="3000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/63817b1eb382602711876fac68ccccb034b4cbf5a0709a07754a55e19b3d9bf8/Dark-Matter-061.jpg" data-mid="239327724" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/63817b1eb382602711876fac68ccccb034b4cbf5a0709a07754a55e19b3d9bf8/Dark-Matter-061.jpg" /> <img width="3000" height="2000" width_o="3000" height_o="2000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/9867aad0619ecf1a046ac324a0db2f48b0eed9b06850d562e9a16a98d1d52552/Dark-Matter-058.jpg" data-mid="239327725" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/9867aad0619ecf1a046ac324a0db2f48b0eed9b06850d562e9a16a98d1d52552/Dark-Matter-058.jpg" /> <img width="3000" height="2000" width_o="3000" height_o="2000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/b0a0864f5a0f3320566d622c71c3d6622e90b152410adab3f45c2b4bec4785e6/Dark-Matter-065.jpg" data-mid="239327726" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/b0a0864f5a0f3320566d622c71c3d6622e90b152410adab3f45c2b4bec4785e6/Dark-Matter-065.jpg" /> <img width="3000" height="2019" width_o="3000" height_o="2019" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/f3cdd19dee785044e10aaf15b175b47c867b338c97dacfd498b7e31a87b3f05d/Dark-Matter-066.jpg" data-mid="239327727" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/f3cdd19dee785044e10aaf15b175b47c867b338c97dacfd498b7e31a87b3f05d/Dark-Matter-066.jpg" /> <img width="3000" height="2480" width_o="3000" height_o="2480" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/e5079b98ab00bf14dda2665124dd12d93ab81dce22978dc325e789e39a55f09f/Dark-Matter-057.jpg" data-mid="239327728" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/e5079b98ab00bf14dda2665124dd12d93ab81dce22978dc325e789e39a55f09f/Dark-Matter-057.jpg" /> <img width="3000" height="2000" width_o="3000" height_o="2000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/008a56c3b03380af96c4579b342d390135a52c3e4843059ee14e7ba76cb2502d/Dark-Matter-063.jpg" data-mid="239327729" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/008a56c3b03380af96c4579b342d390135a52c3e4843059ee14e7ba76cb2502d/Dark-Matter-063.jpg" /> <img width="2000" height="3000" width_o="2000" height_o="3000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/8cb8b69f7809e934d36be4900f1f423de48ac80a2ce8ef4474e2cb24a335d03b/Dark-Matter-062.jpg" data-mid="239327730" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/8cb8b69f7809e934d36be4900f1f423de48ac80a2ce8ef4474e2cb24a335d03b/Dark-Matter-062.jpg" /> <img width="3000" height="2000" width_o="3000" height_o="2000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/24af3e76cf629f194de53b6a51c56ac27a9d154dfefd74b60837f9c7c8ea689f/Dark-Matter-056.jpg" data-mid="239327733" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/24af3e76cf629f194de53b6a51c56ac27a9d154dfefd74b60837f9c7c8ea689f/Dark-Matter-056.jpg" /> Dark Matter, Hudson Gallery, Mississippi University for Women, Columbus, MS https://kristentordellawilliams.art/Thoughts-Prayers Wed, 14 Dec 2022 18:40:24 +0000 Kristen Tordella-Williams https://kristentordellawilliams.art/Thoughts-Prayers Thoughts &amp; Prayers <img width="2500" height="1667" width_o="2500" height_o="1667" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/1c8893ee23ec16edefd449b3016d801f0465bbbd34eef218090eb2a0915e9aba/Thoughts-and-Prayers-11.jpg" data-mid="215615064" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/1c8893ee23ec16edefd449b3016d801f0465bbbd34eef218090eb2a0915e9aba/Thoughts-and-Prayers-11.jpg" /> <img width="2500" height="1667" width_o="2500" height_o="1667" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/2c5974db5962b148e281f2e25b0a265dd959d8b6dd9c29736d77b1f18eb23fef/Thoughts-and-Prayers-09.jpg" data-mid="215615062" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/2c5974db5962b148e281f2e25b0a265dd959d8b6dd9c29736d77b1f18eb23fef/Thoughts-and-Prayers-09.jpg" /> <img width="2500" height="1667" width_o="2500" height_o="1667" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/83fa19f1b88f45d39c4ac71481e1b13f4b91f23e4bc752b4b17a56a523a87f75/Thoughts-and-Prayers-14.jpg" data-mid="215615067" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/83fa19f1b88f45d39c4ac71481e1b13f4b91f23e4bc752b4b17a56a523a87f75/Thoughts-and-Prayers-14.jpg" /> <img width="2500" height="1667" width_o="2500" height_o="1667" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/4faa3ef5ae6e089c4beae8c5e8d5b8009b55e9fbc7323b718b4a8a40374b55a0/Thoughts-and-Prayers-19.jpg" data-mid="215615073" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/4faa3ef5ae6e089c4beae8c5e8d5b8009b55e9fbc7323b718b4a8a40374b55a0/Thoughts-and-Prayers-19.jpg" /> Cast iron, steel, red paint, 2022/2024, 20’ in circumference x 40” Twenty-three cast iron teddy bears lie prone, suspended above the earth speared through with steel rod and bolted in place with bright red hardware. Floating in an oval arrangement, the bears lay frozen in space dejectedly, abandoned by their previous owners. Their figures stand in for victims of gun violence, now the leading cause of death for children in the United States of America. Thoughts &amp; prayers are expressed after mass shootings or horrible, violent gun deaths time after time instead of action. We have become numb to the violence and the risk inherent with public and private space.The teddy bears were chosen for their association with childhood, innocence, and the ability to provoke empathy. Teddy bears are often left at sites of violence as temporary memorial markers. Transformed into iron, they are heavy and fixed in place, permanent markers of the past victims who have become all too common in our daily landscape.&nbsp;On display at the top of Cary Hill Sculpture Park at Salem Art Works in Salem, NY. <img width="2500" height="1704" width_o="2500" height_o="1704" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/600ca7f0c621a89997a50a37985c63654387372064d381a116061f4352b54922/Thoughts-and-Prayers-30.jpg" data-mid="215615086" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/600ca7f0c621a89997a50a37985c63654387372064d381a116061f4352b54922/Thoughts-and-Prayers-30.jpg" /> <img width="2500" height="1667" width_o="2500" height_o="1667" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/4400b6c05abe3b4a5bccc25a3f87a2ca91c935a48036023cd64fd703d7d8a435/Thoughts-and-Prayers-21.jpg" data-mid="215615075" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/4400b6c05abe3b4a5bccc25a3f87a2ca91c935a48036023cd64fd703d7d8a435/Thoughts-and-Prayers-21.jpg" /> <img width="2500" height="1805" width_o="2500" height_o="1805" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/482f3a477675dbf8282ce9913a486486d82142e97ec584560e3ebc129208c72e/Thoughts-and-Prayers-36.jpg" data-mid="215615094" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/482f3a477675dbf8282ce9913a486486d82142e97ec584560e3ebc129208c72e/Thoughts-and-Prayers-36.jpg" /> <img width="2500" height="1595" width_o="2500" height_o="1595" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/7acb1a4f9e66d7998289dc75761eb5d7411682e057900094a7fd9a18936b447a/Thoughts-and-Prayers-23.jpg" data-mid="215615078" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/7acb1a4f9e66d7998289dc75761eb5d7411682e057900094a7fd9a18936b447a/Thoughts-and-Prayers-23.jpg" /> <img width="2500" height="1889" width_o="2500" height_o="1889" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/af3c89669b649daa80ef8598592c3316d85ef7191728480ca4c8455f7f80db81/Thoughts-and-Prayers-27.jpg" data-mid="215615082" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/af3c89669b649daa80ef8598592c3316d85ef7191728480ca4c8455f7f80db81/Thoughts-and-Prayers-27.jpg" /> <img width="1896" height="2500" width_o="1896" height_o="2500" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/1068f69b11d87a8a1671d524f6a3a5e1c077a7df179b9e3b7438e340524c39f0/Thoughts-and-Prayers-25.jpg" data-mid="215615080" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/1068f69b11d87a8a1671d524f6a3a5e1c077a7df179b9e3b7438e340524c39f0/Thoughts-and-Prayers-25.jpg" /> <img width="1667" height="2500" width_o="1667" height_o="2500" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/1e67813bfe2d9d16163408d41225113b8bbd9bf208d42c36ddfae1ae46e24057/Thoughts-and-Prayers-31.jpg" data-mid="215615088" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/1e67813bfe2d9d16163408d41225113b8bbd9bf208d42c36ddfae1ae46e24057/Thoughts-and-Prayers-31.jpg" /> <img width="2500" height="1811" width_o="2500" height_o="1811" 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data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/1e9f603dfa0a176fbcd5c48bfaea659f12dfa9d74007f35e3af6256390360de1/DSC_8650.JPG" data-mid="215933032" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/1e9f603dfa0a176fbcd5c48bfaea659f12dfa9d74007f35e3af6256390360de1/DSC_8650.JPG" /> <img width="6000" height="4000" width_o="6000" height_o="4000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/bb92760cfd2bf1d19b52e5612a751c13b4486ceee0df0bcda468a78dd99f2c40/DSC_8653.JPG" data-mid="215933039" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/bb92760cfd2bf1d19b52e5612a751c13b4486ceee0df0bcda468a78dd99f2c40/DSC_8653.JPG" /> <img width="4000" height="6000" width_o="4000" height_o="6000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/d39c783aa7577b5994cf78e25be99cbd873c5355b4c264ff0ecbadaf134520ff/DSC_8651.JPG" data-mid="215933768" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/d39c783aa7577b5994cf78e25be99cbd873c5355b4c264ff0ecbadaf134520ff/DSC_8651.JPG" /> Thoughts &amp; Prayers in the morning mist. Photos courtesy Asha Cabaca. Gallery Installation <img width="2500" height="1261" width_o="2500" height_o="1261" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/abab70c36e9726afc5cae6cbb187d7617ba97bac2c835ed215e99dd23e951334/Thoughts---Prayers-02.jpg" data-mid="161952919" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/abab70c36e9726afc5cae6cbb187d7617ba97bac2c835ed215e99dd23e951334/Thoughts---Prayers-02.jpg" /> <img width="2500" height="1639" width_o="2500" height_o="1639" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/e46c111ac3ef20e88ad5cb7f6a162a18e0ab2b9de30192d3daf3253ef67424f6/Thoughts---Prayers-06.jpg" data-mid="161952923" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/e46c111ac3ef20e88ad5cb7f6a162a18e0ab2b9de30192d3daf3253ef67424f6/Thoughts---Prayers-06.jpg" /> <img width="2500" height="1899" width_o="2500" height_o="1899" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/7e2cdee1666a281acd6e819cc5468f9b95706436c2477e5234aee9693b44033e/Thoughts---Prayers-16.jpg" data-mid="161952933" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/7e2cdee1666a281acd6e819cc5468f9b95706436c2477e5234aee9693b44033e/Thoughts---Prayers-16.jpg" /> <img width="2500" height="1875" width_o="2500" height_o="1875" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/c044f3ff26d25d1c88ce3c541605e2d31a602db38055f1b0f155eb8647c44eeb/Thoughts---Prayers-19.jpg" data-mid="161952937" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/c044f3ff26d25d1c88ce3c541605e2d31a602db38055f1b0f155eb8647c44eeb/Thoughts---Prayers-19.jpg" /> <img width="1810" height="2500" width_o="1810" height_o="2500" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/a9fbb05487cd452de6bc3a4a9a32aa1b69bf999029e2a4f6b184c7a24e013cbc/Thoughts---Prayers-15.jpg" data-mid="161952932" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/a9fbb05487cd452de6bc3a4a9a32aa1b69bf999029e2a4f6b184c7a24e013cbc/Thoughts---Prayers-15.jpg" /> <img width="2500" height="1884" width_o="2500" height_o="1884" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/fb0165ba3d7bae87ec2dc6682babf925c389b27215634e1e24f31ec9c7c9f980/Thoughts---Prayers-09.jpg" data-mid="161952926" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/fb0165ba3d7bae87ec2dc6682babf925c389b27215634e1e24f31ec9c7c9f980/Thoughts---Prayers-09.jpg" /> <img width="2500" height="1875" width_o="2500" height_o="1875" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/8c3200c87c3c24f62b7c0b3d09000e436508ea9543fbbcd805ea86bafc6fc46f/Thoughts---Prayers-21.jpg" data-mid="161952939" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/8c3200c87c3c24f62b7c0b3d09000e436508ea9543fbbcd805ea86bafc6fc46f/Thoughts---Prayers-21.jpg" /> <img width="2500" height="1987" width_o="2500" height_o="1987" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/933653d41518553bb6d749567233b215cd03bb1cce0b5c785e7eb114b00c134f/Thoughts---Prayers-22.jpg" data-mid="161952940" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/933653d41518553bb6d749567233b215cd03bb1cce0b5c785e7eb114b00c134f/Thoughts---Prayers-22.jpg" /> <img width="2500" height="1884" width_o="2500" height_o="1884" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/15afd17136e2842e1296036dc17d74a8c8b18e5df2dbe72a8a49bf02fd75497f/Thoughts---Prayers-18.jpg" data-mid="161952935" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/15afd17136e2842e1296036dc17d74a8c8b18e5df2dbe72a8a49bf02fd75497f/Thoughts---Prayers-18.jpg" /> <img width="2500" height="1598" width_o="2500" height_o="1598" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/694e378d3e87f4df0c3a663349a78f4a3aba750f0e7774948cb28349e5f1bb78/Thoughts---Prayers-17.jpg" data-mid="161952934" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/694e378d3e87f4df0c3a663349a78f4a3aba750f0e7774948cb28349e5f1bb78/Thoughts---Prayers-17.jpg" /> Cast iron and artificial turf, 12’x8’x5”, 2022 https://kristentordellawilliams.art/40-Burnt-Books Thu, 26 Jan 2023 22:31:30 +0000 Kristen Tordella-Williams https://kristentordellawilliams.art/40-Burnt-Books 40 Burnt Books <img width="1600" height="963" width_o="1600" height_o="963" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/8e83150e36d114edd9c8e4ae994e7eabc28e6afe7b0f32bac9962340db3a4a41/Tordella-Williams_Kristen-1.jpg" data-mid="166265722" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/8e83150e36d114edd9c8e4ae994e7eabc28e6afe7b0f32bac9962340db3a4a41/Tordella-Williams_Kristen-1.jpg" /> <img width="2800" height="1896" width_o="2800" height_o="1896" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/31eb117145df4bebde657e8a17aaade7086f4117e5ef751989664c5ab533d2cc/Tordella-Williams_Kristen-02.jpg" data-mid="166265677" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/31eb117145df4bebde657e8a17aaade7086f4117e5ef751989664c5ab533d2cc/Tordella-Williams_Kristen-02.jpg" /> <img width="2000" height="1496" width_o="2000" height_o="1496" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/875e4159f22482c237e3de9156307dec14e3c65d6a00c9698b12026c9d3cf632/Submission-3_Tordella-Williams_5_Burnt_Books_detail.jpg" data-mid="166265667" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/875e4159f22482c237e3de9156307dec14e3c65d6a00c9698b12026c9d3cf632/Submission-3_Tordella-Williams_5_Burnt_Books_detail.jpg" /> <img width="1600" height="901" width_o="1600" height_o="901" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/3e9a15303459aff6d0964c10954b548f3c8724fa4c5eca190bcfbd1235fe5716/Tordella-Williams_Kristen-4.jpg" data-mid="166265779" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/3e9a15303459aff6d0964c10954b548f3c8724fa4c5eca190bcfbd1235fe5716/Tordella-Williams_Kristen-4.jpg" /> <img width="1600" height="901" width_o="1600" height_o="901" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/3dc22023be21b663cd3d3bb5f6920591eb4ca1e9af66a4f86cbab82b94b5e644/Tordella-Williams_Kristen-2.jpg" data-mid="166265794" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/3dc22023be21b663cd3d3bb5f6920591eb4ca1e9af66a4f86cbab82b94b5e644/Tordella-Williams_Kristen-2.jpg" /> <img width="1600" height="901" width_o="1600" height_o="901" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/bae2c46808ac02b5b2a9f18f2963f81f1e7b332e3a89925b182615de143d3bdf/Tordella-Williams_Kristen-5.jpg" data-mid="166265783" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/bae2c46808ac02b5b2a9f18f2963f81f1e7b332e3a89925b182615de143d3bdf/Tordella-Williams_Kristen-5.jpg" /> Books removed from public circulation and steel brackets, dimensions dependent on installation, 2019-23Forty burnt books are presented on custom-made steel brackets jutting out from the wall at an angle similar to lecterns or rare book displays. They represent today’s undervaluing of education, the shift from analog to digital technologies, the fraught contextualization of our histories, and the destruction of knowledge. Book banning is on the rise while public school funding in the South suffers in divided districts still in recovery after years of pandemic-restricted teaching. The tattered and charred pages are a visual representation of years of violence that are invisible but nevertheless have real consequences to our communities and our children’s futures. 40 Burnt Books also reference the advent of the internet and the reduced reliance on books to transmit knowledge, for good or ill. Our communities believe in what is presented online through the algorithms of social media and often biased sources disseminated widely. How can we believe in a single truth when there are thousands of versions from which to choose? Burning books is equivalent to censorship and a fear of spreading knowledge. One only burns or bans a book if the content is so offensive or dangerous to those in power. These books were already destined for the landfill, but now act as physical representations of censorship, historical wrongs, and ephemeral violence made real. Originating from a 2018&nbsp;salem2salem residency in Salem, Germany and expanded for the 2021 solo exhibition&nbsp;HOME//WORK at the Lauren Rogers Smith Museum in Laurel, MS. Selected in 2022 for the group exhibitions&nbsp;Faculty Exhibition 7 at the Jule Collins Smith Museum, Auburn, AL and&nbsp;Art of the South at Zeitgeist Gallery, Nashville, TN. On display at the ROB as part of the 2023 ArtFields competition and exhibition in Lake City, SC from April 19-29, 2023. Poetry inspired by the piece by Auburn students.