Serene Paper Cuts Carry Sharp Edge
Age of Wonder Inspires Second Nature by Sonja Peterson
OVERVIEW:
 “Second Nature” the first major solo show
by artist, Sonja Peterson
 Opening reception is Sat. May 15
from 6-9 p.m.
 Show runs through July 11, 2010
 Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily
 Le Méridien Chambers Burnet Gallery
901 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis, Minn.
MINNEAPOLIS – (April 22, 2010) – In her first major
solo show, artist Sonja Peterson, uses her intricate
paper cuts to explore technology and nature. Without providing answers, she quietly
provokes the viewer to question the roles and relationships of mankind with the natural
world.
On the surface her monochromatic works appear as gentle, serene abstracts or
perhaps fantasy landscapes. Her pieces depict detailed nature scenes interblended with
glimpses of mankind. Birds, deer, people, plants and buildings can be discerned in her
intricate paper cuts. However, on closer examination, the pieces become disturbing and
seem to hide an almost violent message. A limp human form is draped over the branch
of a tree. Glimpsed beneath the paper cuts are layers of newsprint from the Wall Street
Journal.
Peterson’s pieces seemingly ask, what is nature? Can it truly be controlled? What is
wild and uncontrolled? Is it nature, or is it actually mankind and technology?
The inspiration for “Second Nature” derives largely from Peterson’s fascination with
what author, Richard Holmes, describes as “The Age of Wonder;” the period between
the late 18th and early 19th centuries overlapping with the Romantic Age. During this
time writers and poets such as Coleridge, Keats, Shelley and Wordsworth were being
influenced by explorers and scientists of the age, such as Charles Darwin, Humphry
Davy, William Herschel, and Mungo Park.
“During the Age of Wonder the westernized world was creating the idea of nature as a
separate construct, as something that had seemed endless, and untamed that could be
owned and controlled by man,” explains Peterson. “Scientists of that age were eager to
discover and exploit nature by unlocking its secrets, yet there was a sense of wonder
and fear about where these discoveries were taking us as a society.”
In viewing Peterson’s collages, figures and images seem to appear and disappear as
light and shadow bring elements in and out of focus. An element that the viewer might
catch out of the corner of their eye disappears from view as light and shadow bring
details in and out of relief.
“There’s a lot of shadow play in my pieces,” states Peterson, pointing to her use of
aluminum leaf, glass and three-dimensional collage. “I want people to question what is
and what isn’t real.”
In “The World Is Too Much With Us” office towers loom large under a lush jungle. But is
the jungle overtaking the towers or are the towers trampling the jungle? Is it a nod to the
power of Wall Street or the demise of derivatives?
Peterson’s not prepared to answer those questions. “I prefer to do more questioning,”
replies Peterson. “I like to find uncomfortable similarities that one might consider morally
different.”
Sonja Peterson lives and works in Minneapolis. She was born in Rochester, Minn. She
studied political science at Whittier College, Calif., and later received her BFA from the
Minneapolis College of Art & Design and her MFA from the University of Minnesota in
2009.
Peterson’s work has been exhibited most recently at the Minneapolis Institute of Art,
Krasl Art Center, St. Joseph Mich.; Beijing Film Academy, Beijing, China; NYCAMS,
NY, NY; The Armoury Gallery, Milwaukee, Wisc. and, Fresh stART, Santa Monica,
Calif.
Peterson has been featured in New American Paintings magazine and received a
Minnesota State Arts Board Artist Fellowship in 2009.
Burnet Gallery is located in Le Méridien Chambers, an award-winning art hotel located
in downtown Minneapolis. The hotel was designed for those individuals who recognize
and are inspired by contemporary art and cuisine combined with great service. Behind
its distinctive mahogany double doors, guests are greeted with an eclectic mix of
original, contemporary art by internationally renowned artists. In the hotel’s Burnet
Gallery, guests may purchase works by international, national and local artists. For
details on gallery shows, please visit: Burnet Art Gallery on facebook.
Considered one of the top boutique art hotels in the world, Le Méridien Chambers
features more than 200 pieces of original contemporary art throughout the public areas
as well as the hotel’s 60 guest rooms. Located at 901 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis,
Minn., it offers a unique combination of art, culinary, design and true boutique hotel
experience. For reservations, call: 612-767-6900 or visit:
www.LeMeridien.com/minneapolis.
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Image Caption:
Reinvention, Sonja Peterson, 2010, 54”x54”, graphite, aluminum leaf, newsprint & paper
Contact:
Jacqueline Hanson
Hanson Communications
Jacqueline@HansonPR.com
952.941.3949