Since my initial encounter with Michelle Segre's artwork in 2014, I've observed her fascination with cosmic phenomena, such as nebulae, evolve. She continues to experiment with unconventional materials like colored yarn, dried mushrooms, and even decaying bread. What I failed to fully grasp back then was how her creative approach blurs the lines between traditional categories, merging objects with pictorial images and sculpture with painting. This fusion has enabled her to carve out a unique space that is as philosophically insightful as it is visually striking.
Segre's brilliance at the convergence of sculpture and painting became even clearer during her latest exhibition, Nebula, at the Derek Eller Gallery. The centerpiece is a vibrant red structure that challenges viewers to engage with it closely, both from afar and in detail. Positioned in the gallery's center, I found myself circling it much like one would around a maypole.
The piece, Nebula, features a flat form that evokes various interpretations--a thought balloon, an undiscovered land, or a fiery plume ascending into the atmosphere--emerging from a vertical cement base. Crafted from reddish acrylic polymer, its shape is loosely defined by steel wire, adorned with a cascade of red yarn that reaches down to the floor, creating a soft, fiery curtain that separates different realms. A delicate spiraling wire is integrated into the central form, with long strands of black thread intertwining beneath it, forming diverse linear clusters. This creates a simultaneous perception of two and three dimensions, with an open shape rising from the cement block and a solid, vibrant red surface suspended within, surrounded by the tactile lines of yarn--a spatial drawing.
The radiant colors of the amorphous polymer shift from orange to crimson, showcasing Segre's mastery of color. One of the remarkable aspects of her work is the surprising associations it evokes. While contemplating the abstract shape, I noticed a large tuft of brown sheep fleece connected to the yarn. This fleece is materially tied to the red yarn strands that support the acrylic polymer structure. The fiery red suggests destruction, while the combination of fleece and yarn symbolizes transformation and rebirth.
By incorporating transient materials into her creations, Segre embraces the physical world as a dynamic landscape of decay and potential. Her artworks are responsive to the passage of time and its effects, standing in stark contrast to the impervious objects produced by artists like Jeff Koons. Sensitive to the surrounding air currents, Nebula serves as a testament to change.
Nebula continues to be on display at Derek Eller Gallery (38 Walker Street, Ground Floor, Tribeca, Manhattan) until February 14. This exhibition has been organized by the gallery.
