Two Reviews, One Exhibition: Talia Logan, Georgianna Waxes

#1… By Christal Pearson

Talia Waxes Brilliant…

Taliaferro Logan humbly refers to some of the pieces in her latest installation at the Eleanor D. Wilson Museum as “happy accidents.”  She maintains that the perfectly sinister sky in Fog is a fortuitous combination of wax, heat, and gravity; however, it is difficult to view her moving exhibition, Georgianna Waxes, without sensing the artistic intention behind it.

Upon entering the Ballator-Thompson Gallery of the Eleanor D. Wilson Museum, I was immediately struck by the meticulous curatorial details.  The lighting showcases the work beautifully, while simultaneously beaming a warm welcome.  Each piece seems at home in its impeccably chosen frame.

There is nothing haphazard about Georgianna Waxes. The exhibition is inspired by the semi-autobiographical novel Georgianna, written by the artist’s grandmother.  The first three pieces of the exhibition are from the Chapter Series. The pages of each of the first three chapters are covered in wax (encaustic) and then adorned with images of relics that resonate in the text.  The impact on the viewer is osmotic.  The images – house, jug, scissors, kettle, lantern, rocking chair – quietly evoke bygone days in the country.  The images burn themselves into your mind.

Logan’s most captivating works are her faceless portraits.  In an exhibition so consistently dramatic and haunting, these portraits force the viewer to reflect on his or her own personal story, perhaps even seeing familiar faces in the ghostly silhouettes.  The viewer is put in touch with the frailty of time, with humanity, and with mortality – an encounter that can only be orchestrated by the skillful intention and the artist’s imaginative technique.

#2… By Sara Boddorf

The current exhibition at the Eleanor D. Wilson Museum, Georgianna Waxes, an installation by Taliaferro Logan, was inspired by Georgianna, a novel written by the artist’s grandmother. Set in the Roanoke area, Georgianna is a melange of family lineage, history, and fiction.

The exhibition contains 58 encaustic works created between 2005 and 2008 that vary tremendously in shape and size and are confined to one wall. The impression of aged wallpaper created behind the works as well as the use of extremely eclectic frames furthers this symbolism of a personal family tree.  The arrangement is free-flowing and deviates from any grid. The viewer never questions this arrangement because it is reminiscent of what one would find in a typical home. The majority of the works focus on ambiguous, silhouetted individuals who appear to be posing. These snapshots of the artist’s family are ghostly due to their hazy, waxy appearance and lack of distinguishing details. This makes it possible for the viewer to see the installation as a representation of his/her own family.

Logan also depicts locations mentioned within the novel. These works contain depth and emotion that appeal to all viewers.  In some, the atmosphere is foreboding: Mnt. Lake Boat (2008) displays a small almost unnoticeable boat in a vast area of enthralling blue pigments. This work gives a sense of complete isolation and loneliness. Winter Tree (2008) a composition highlighted by a sharp, white wind that seems to jump off the canvas, evokes the death and vulnerability that accompany winter.

Details about the exhibition:
Who: Taliaferro Logan
What: Georgianna Waxes
When: January 8-31, 2009 (Gallery Hours: Tues-Fri, 10am to 4pm Sat, 1pm-5pm)
Where: Eleanor D. Wilson Museum, Hollins University