There’s Always Glimmer

November 7 - December 21, 2024

Opening Reception: “First Thursday,” November 7, 6-8pm
Artist talk: “Saturday After”, November 9 at noon

Greg Kucera Gallery is pleased to announce our eleventh one-person exhibition of work by Seattle artist, Mark Calderon. Initially created as a collection of beaded textiles, each expressing words of apology, the exhibition is titled There’s Always Glimmer. In the end, with the addition of the mirrored work, it embraces hope.

“Shortly after making a small bronze sculpture of an infant in child’s pose that I titled Apology (in the center of the gallery), I heard myself declaring out loud, “Every piece should be an apology.” I was initially prompted by the disappointment and sadness I feel because of short-sighted environmental destruction on a global scale. While it is easy to name big corporations that greedily harvest our resources, we all participate in this consumption no matter how virtuously we try to live. But I don’t see these works as exclusively about a compromised future or even as “my” apologies. There are things in all of our pasts—recent and long ago—that we can apologize for.

I don’t typically use words as part of my art and I have never made textile works. But I wanted to express the idea of apology literally, and it was important to me that the process be effortful and sincere. I initially chose bead embroidery for its shimmering appearance, which expresses the message radiantly, and for its long history and use as currency for trade. Further into the process I learned that in North America, trade beads were exchanged not only for goods and services but also for human beings. This significantly expands the list of things we can apologize for, and for me it makes the medium even more appropriate.

After creating the five beaded Apologies I felt that the show needed a counterpoint to the message of sadness and regret. The mirrored sculpture Glimmer is a bright and hopeful work intended as an uplifting refuge. It is my responsibility to keep alive at least a glimmer.

Apologizing is a powerful act. Its depth of feeling, of caring, of thoughtfulness, is what ultimately interests me. What can we do? An apology is a way to begin.

The exhibition title “There’s Always Glimmer” is taken from an album by Gia Margaret.”

— Mark Calderon