September 20, 2024
Press Release
© Simone Spicer, Piece for Peace, Painted corrugated cardboard, hanging paper cranes, 24 x 30 x 35 inches, 2010
Past>NOW<Future:
The Evolving Artistry of Simone Spicer at iMOCA
Past>NOW<Future is a compelling solo exhibition by acclaimed sculptor and painter Simone Spicer, set to take place at the Interactive Museum for Contemporary Art (iMOCA). A highlight of the upcoming art season, this exhibition presents Spicer's innovative approach to sculptural works and paintings, deeply rooted in the Arte Povera movement. Spicer's art, characterized by its use of repurposed materials and its evocative commentary on social and environmental issues, embodies a profound exploration of the human condition. Her creations, forged from discarded objects and infused with emotional resonance, challenge traditional artistic values while promoting collective healing. Spicer's work serves as a powerful testament to the transformative potential of art, capturing the intricate interplay of materials, memory, and meaning. Through her thought-provoking pieces, the artist invites viewers to reflect on the interconnectedness of humanity, nature, and the remnants of our consumer culture.
© Simone Spicer, Fallen Hero (back view), Painted corrugated cardboard, rubble, 85 x 36 x 40 inches, 2010 ©Jack Ramsdale
Past>NOW<Future
A solo exhibition by Simone Spicer
Exhibition Dates:
October 20 – November 10, 2024
Opening Reception:
Sunday, October 20, 3:30 – 7:00 pm
Artist Talk:
Friday, November 1, 5:00 – 7:00 pm
Open for "Philadelphia Open Studio Tours" (POST):
October 26 and 27, 12:00 – 6:00 pm
Closing Reception Brunch:
Sunday, November 10, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Location:
Interactive Museum of Contemporary Art (iMOCA)
1230 S. Broad St.
Philadelphia, PA 19146
Gallery Hours:
By appointment, and Fridays 11 am – 6 pm
© Simone Spicer, The End Of The Age Of Innocence On The Great Wave Off Kanagawa, Bas Relief papier mâché tidal wave and plastic action figures riding the wave on surfboards and in boats, 8 x 8 x 3 feet, 2021
PHILADELPHIA, PA, USA – The Interactive Museum of Contemporary Art (iMOCA) is thrilled to present Past>NOW<Future, a captivating exhibition by Simone Spicer, a sculptor whose work bridges the gap between Arte Povera and contemporary environmental activism. Spicer's sculptures and paintings challenge traditional artistic norms, utilizing discarded materials to evoke a powerful commentary on modern society's relationship with nature, consumption, and history. The exhibition will run from Sunday, October 20 to Sunday, November 10, 2024. The exhibition will open with a public Opening Reception from 3:30 pm to 7:00 pm on October 20. The artist will be present giving tours of the exhibition during Philadelphia Open Studio Tours (POST) on October 26 and 27 from 12 - 6pm. An Artist Talk is scheduled for Friday, November 1, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, and the exhibition will conclude with a Closing Reception Brunch on Sunday, November 10, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.
Spicer's artistic journey is marked by her relentless exploration of materials and her commitment to addressing social and environmental issues through her art. Her work not only transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary but also invites viewers to reflect on the interconnectedness of humanity, nature, and the objects we discard. Spicer's use of post-consumer packaging and other found materials speaks volumes about our society's values, habits, and impact on the planet. Through her work, Spicer aims to inspire collective healing and greater awareness of our role in the natural world.
As Spicer herself explains, "I believe healing happens when the artist's primary goal is to connect with others through shared experience, storytelling, and wonderment at being alive here on planet Earth! I am drawn to materials that challenge and disrupt traditional values of commercialized art, and that reinforce my images and speak of our culture and time specifically." Her art uniquely captures this sentiment, particularly in works like her reimagining of Hokusai's famous wave, where, as art critic Eleanor Heartney notes, Spicer transforms the iconic image into "a massive tsunami that is about to engulf a merrily oblivious party of pop culture surfers."
Spicer's ability to transform detritus into compelling artistic statements is central to her practice. Harvey Shipley Miller, a notable collector, commends her for the originality of her sculptures, noting how "Simone Spicer's sculptures are so original in their lively use and transformation of detritus to animate fresh transits of perception...informed by her consummate wit and subtle, wry humor." This wit and humor, combined with her profound engagement with social and environmental themes, make Spicer's work both thought-provoking and deeply resonant.
Spicer not only challenges traditional artistic values but also reinforces her images with materials that speak directly to our culture and time. She reflects, "I am continually inspired to transform throwaway, post-consumer packaging containers, as they express so much about contemporary society; our values, our habits, our technologies, and our mastery over nature, while conversely reminding us of our obliviousness to the natural world and our separateness from it and from all of human history." This deep connection between material and meaning is what makes Spicer's work so powerful and relevant, inviting viewers to engage in a dialogue about the world we live in and the legacy we leave behind.
Simone Spicer is a sculptor based in Wyncote, PA, with a distinguished career that includes a BFA in Sculpture from the Maine College of Art, an MFA from the University of North Carolina, and a full scholarship to The Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture. Spicer's work has been exhibited at prestigious institutions such as the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Independence Seaport Museum, the Woodmere Museum of Art, and the Philadelphia International Airport. An active member of the Philadelphia Dumpster Divers and the Philadelphia Sculptors Association, Spicer is also affiliated with a group of artist/activists in New York City who collaborate with scientists to address climate change through art.
The Interactive Museum of Contemporary Art (iMOCA) is an interactive museum of contemporary art based in Philadelphia focusing on local, living art practices of all kinds. Founded in 2011, the museum focuses on connecting local artists to local resources in personal and direct ways. iMOCA's new location is an historic home on South Broad Street in Philadelphia featuring an art gallery and artist residency facilities. For more information on the exhibition, please visit: https://www.amiepotsicartadvisory.com/events/2024/10/20/simone-spicer-solo-exhibition-imoca.
The Philadelphia Open Studio Tours (POST) is the largest, self-guided, free-to-attend tour of artist studios and creative work spaces in the region, and one of the premier open studio tour events in the country, crossing into over 26 neighborhoods throughout the city for two weekends each October.
Past>NOW<Future will run from Sunday, October 20 to Sunday, November 10, 2024, at the Interactive Museum of Contemporary Art (iMOCA). The Opening Reception is scheduled for Sunday, October 20, from 3:30 pm to 7:00 pm. The artist will be present giving tours of the exhibition during Philadelphia Open Studio Tours (POST) on October 26 and 27 from 12 - 6pm. The Artist Talk will be held on Friday, November 1, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. The Closing Reception Brunch will take place on Sunday, November 10, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. The exhibition will be open by appointment as well as on Fridays from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm.
© Simone Spicer, African American Youth, Painted corrugated cardboard, 16 x 11 x 12 inches, 2009