Patterns of Consumption

April 2-15th • Atrium Gallery • Tyler School of Art • 2001 N. 13th Street

The act of consuming is a factor in each of our daily lives - from our first sip of coffee in the morning to turning off the lights at night. Patterns of Consumption is an exhibition of contemporary artworks that explore consumer culture, drawing from a visual vocabulary of craft-based materials, forms, and techniques. “Consumption” has multiple meanings here, referencing the economic exchange of merchandise, the use of fuel, and the ingestion of food and drink. Likewise, “pattern” references patterns used in forming and decorating art and objects, as well as patterns within economies. The resulting installation is a conversation between past and present.

Curator Heather Gibson, a design historian, chose contemporary artworks that resonate with the past. “Each of these artists,” notes Gibson “possesses a strong command of their chosen medium – clay, metal, and plaster bas relief. Their contemporary ideas are informed by their understanding of material, and how that material has been used historically.” The result is a richly layered commentary on how civilized society uses material goods, energy, food and drink.

Heather Gibson teaches History of Modern Craft and Design at the Tyler School of Art. She also serves as Adjunct Assistant Professor at Drexel University and Research Assistant at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Related event:
Art History lecture “The Art of Politics” on the intertwined history of ceramics and politics by artist Michelle Erickson to be held April 6th at 3:30pm in Tyler School of Art room B004.

Exhibition web site: 

patternsofconsumption.com