Lamont Gallery Presents American Mortal

American Mortal September 3 – October 19, 2019 Reception: Thursday, September 26, 5:30-7:30 Performance of Sew to Speak by artist Melissa Vandenberg: Thursday, September 26, 6:00 Artist Talk: Saturday, September 28, 10:00 American Mortal features provocative works by Becky Alley and Melissa Vandenberg, who use common domestic items to explore themes of patriotism, war, and commemoration in our current cultural environment. Whether tongue-in-cheek, or an outright adverse critique, the artists focus on American identity, and our relationship to what we believe and why. Alley’s methodical, process-driven works memorialize and humanize the vast number of civilian lives lost – and families displaced – by recent wars. Vandenberg explores the symbolism of the flag, patriotism and partisanship through various mediums and clever juxtapositions. These two artists invite us to explore and examine our beliefs, our opinions, and their consequences. In American Mortal, they commemorate the good and interrogate the rest.