Fruitful Endeavor by Carley Brown

Details:

• stained glass
• size: 6.5" x 6.5" x 9"
• available after the close + deinstallation of exhibit (mid-May 2025)
  
  

Major: Interdisciplinary, 2027

Artist Statement:
Carley Brown is a stained glass artist who has been working with stained glass for 3 years. She works in a garage studio in her hometown, Twin Lakes, Wisconsin. Their work is whimsical and bright, and often focuses on nature, especially bugs’ wing patterns. Her work is often accompanied by stars, which give a magical feel to the pieces. Carley is especially interested in emphasizing bright colors in her work, and will often buy their materials secondhand to introduce unusual glass patterns and colors. 

Fruit is a common visual metaphor for femininity, often seen as a symbol of fertility and vitality. In the piece, “Fruitful Endeavor” I explore my own experience with womanhood. Reflected across three of the stained glass panels, multiple fruits are displayed. But on the front panel, I have chosen to depict an earthworm which is also an important part of the ecosystem, but different from the others. I admire femininity, but I often do not feel feminine. When identifying as queer, many often feel like they stand out. However, I intend for this colorful piece to reflect that we all belong across the ecosystem. We should rely on each other, like the fruit depends on the worm to take care of the soil.