Pamina Taylor's exhibition at Sculpturesite Gallery, Reflections, uses the medium of glass to respond to an experience of living temporarily in Japan. Her reflections intertwine nature and culture very deftly--the organic forms of her sculptures subsisting of glass with a decided naturalness,  put through a cultural process. Her works reflect both the inherent qualities of the medium, as well as an inherent focus of Japanese culture: nature.

"I was impressed by the integral role that nature and seasons play in Japanese life," the artist states as straight-forwardly as the works themselves. One work seems like grass grown in a box, as though for a resident of a tiny apartment in Tokyo.

Two of her works reflect a cultural practice in Japan of tying unwelcome fortunes to trees.  The branches are made of glass with fortunes tied to them, reflecting the Japanese practice of releasing their worldly concerns to natural forces.

Traylor's exhibition includes other works that intertwine nature and culture, with some works seeming to float in the air.

The exhibition is a subtle commingling of Japanese and American cultures, as well as a perspective on how close Japanese culture is to nature, and how far away we are.

-laurie halsey brown

(*Images, from top to bottom: Pamina Traylor, Reflections, August 21 - October 18, 2008; Sculpturesite Gallery, Branches, 2008, steel and glass, 27 x 15 x 5", courtesy of the Artist and Sculpturesite Gallery.  Pamina Traylor, Reflections, August 21 - October 18, 2008; Sculpturesite Gallery, Cluster, steel and glass, 18 x 7 x 7", courtesy of the Artist and Sculpturesite Gallery, photo courtesy laurie halsey brown.  Pamina Traylor, Reflections, August 21 - October 18, 2008; Sculpturesite Gallery, After the Rain, 2008, steel and glass, 4 x 41 x 8", courtesy of the Artist and Sculpturesite Gallery.  Pamina Traylor, Reflections, August 21 - October 18, 2008; Sculpturesite Gallery, Yellowing Omikuji, 2008, glass and mixed media, 5 x 11 x 3", courtesy of the Artist and Sculpturesite Gallery, photo courtesy laurie halsey brown.  Pamina Traylor, Reflections, August 21 - October 18, 2008; Sculpturesite Gallery, Omikuji, 2008, glass and mixed media, 8 x 13 x 4", courtesy of the Artist and Sculpturesite Gallery, photo courtesy laurie halsey brown.)