Katie Rearick

Continued Conversations

Continued Conversations is collaboration between Katie and Rachel Rearick. As a married couple they are a pair of visual thinkers and makers, working together in their home studios. They communicate through a variety of methods to express their thoughts, feelings, and intentions. From early on in their relationship, they employed conversation drawing and various art forms to dialogue with one another. 

Because relationships are a dance of interactions, reactions and movements; the lines, marks, and folds within the collaborative work speaks to the evolving layers and patterns that are created within their relationship. 

Remediation

As with the study of relics and memories within my own life, the Carrie Furnace in its various states of decay and preservation provide the ideal environment for my current studio investigations.  During the research laboratory I became fascinated with the resilient plant life growing in and around the furnace and the vast empty bins in the stockhouse. Looking up into the bins, one can see the remnants of what once was-plant life, rust, and decay.  The lost time logs, safety posters and personal safety gear in the archives also provided a glimpse into the harsh working conditions while the furnace was in operation.

 The human landscape, natural garden, and fragments of the Carrie Furnace inspire us to contemplate the past while rebuilding a future. “Over time the decomposing organic material of tough pioneer plants improved the soil, making way for more opportunistic species. Though stunted by the still shallow soil, shrubs and trees have taken hold as the ecosystem here continues to expand and evolve.” (Iron Garden Walk, Gaining Ground) Working from photographs that I took in the iron garden surrounding the furnace, I traced patterns of plant life, and cut those from steel. I’ve installed these pieces to act as new doors for the stockroom bins: not to be opened or closed but rather to further filter the light, casting a present day shadow of life across the floor. 

Dialogue through Drawing

As an engaged couple, Katie and Rachel are visual thinkers and makers.  From early on in their relationship, they have employed conversation drawing.  Approaching the exhibition, Katie and Rachel spent 30 minutes per day conversing through drawing, for one month.  They communicated through lines and shapes on a large sheet of paper, which encouraged an intuitive exchange of emotion.

 Once that process was complete, each of them chose components of the drawing that resonated to them individually.  Rachel created a suite of monotypes while Katie worked on the sculptural elements.

 During the exhibition, the couple begin another conversation drawing in the gallery, adding to it weekly.

Objects of Recollection

At some point in our life we all experience the loss of a loved one and as a result of that loss, we inherit objects.