Tracy Featherstone: Nest

BasketShop is pleased to present Tracy Featherstone: Nest, an exhibition that embarks on unraveling resilience and personal narratives through a profound dialogue with canvas, ceramics and found materials.

“Nest” is a contemplation of imperfections, weaving a narrative of sustainability and vulnerability that is experienced in nature and the careful constructions we make as human beings. Oval paintings symbolize generative power, mirroring delicate structures that prompt a reflection on the conflicted relationship between human impact and the underlying beauty of the ‘nest.’ Featherstone’s personal experiences add depth to this narrative, as hidden worlds clash with the impact of human interaction—a subtle nod to the complexities of creating a personal haven.

In this showcase, the enduring surfaces resist mere creation, bearing the marks of meticulous craftsmanship—a process akin to the artistry of assembling one’s haven. Strips of canvas, thoughtfully applied, become visible repairs, narrating stories of experience, mending and the passage of time.

The exhibition extends this metaphor in a different creative phase with small ceramic works—fragile and fragmented, resembling fossilized natural objects. Crafted with meticulous detail, these pieces reflect the unpolished, crude beauty of fragility and the art of creating sanctuary in the natural world. Casual combinations defy easy deciphering, inviting viewers to formulate intricate, interwoven stories within each piece.

Tracy Featherstone, a distinguished Professor of Art and Head of Printmaking at Miami University, brings a wealth of artistic exploration and academic leadership to her practice. With a BFA in Drawing from the University of Cincinnati and an MFA in Printmaking from the University of Arizona, Featherstone’s work has been exhibited nationally and internationally. A recipient of the Ohio Arts Council Award for Creative Excellence and supported by the US Embassy for a residency in Prague, Featherstone’s artistic journey extends across three continents and she is included in numerous collections and public institutions.