Solo Exhibition: Loretta Park
Curated by Leah Triplett and created by Loretta Park, this site-specific installation transforms the Cherry Street Pier gallery into an outburst of color, shape, and form.
In Park’s hands, everyday materials (plastic plates, rope, clips, and craft supplies) are alchemized into wholly new spaces that shapeshift as we walk through them. This installation considers the location and history of the Cherry Street Pier, overtaking the gallery with new weavings, suspended works, and more.
As Park says: “I paint, cut, weave, and crush objects to create my sculptural work. Knowing that anything can be altered with my hands, I make with materials that are affordable and easily accessible: scrap wood pieces discarded from wood shops, used plastic lunch plates found in secondhand stores, and unwanted studio debris collected from artists in my community.
I intertwine these diverse and distinct items without following rules or logic, disregarding their original functions. Instead, I attempt to create uninhibitedly, like a child, clashing textures and colors, and forming unexpected associations and tensions. Just as a child might turn a broken tree branch into a magic wand, I assign new roles to objects to create my own make-believe world, where functions and values are redefined.
While my work may not follow a conventional set of rules, I want it to be approachable. Children may gravitate toward shiny, plastic plates. Others might recognize mesh bags that once held onions or paper towels used to wipe paint brushes. I choose materials that can be found in hardware stores, recycling bins, and closets—things people know. I want viewers to come closer, notice what they recognize, and begin to make sense of uncertain moments. By altering familiar objects, I make everyday items appear strange while leaving some materials to be identifiable. See-sawing between recognition and confusion, my work is at once tangible and abstract.”
Loretta Park is an artist and educator with an MFA from Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt) and a BA from Bowdoin College. She creates playful mixed-media work that explores accessibility and material hierarchy. Her work has been exhibited at venues including the MassArt Art Museum, Boston University Art Galleries, Somerville Museum, and Dimensions Variable in Miami. Reviews of her exhibitions have appeared in Boston Art Review, Artscope, Art New England, The Boston Globe, and Korean Daily. She lives and works in Boston.
What to Know Before You Go:
Parking on-site will be limited due to construction on the I-95 CAP. However, there are many great ways to access the Waterfront, including walking and biking along the Delaware River Trail, rideshare, and public transit. To ensure a seamless visit, guests can visit the Know Before You Go guide for parking recommendations, directions, FAQs, and more.