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Artists' Statements

Bethany Bonner When I was asked as a young girl sitting at my aunt's dinner table, to pass the salt, I was told, "Always pass the salt and pepper together, they are married."   Since then I have always given a gender identity  (consciously or subconsciously)  to all everyday tools and utensils. That is the basis for this body of ordinary objects.
Objects seen on a daily basis.   Objects with a life.   Objects used by a human hand.   Objects that project strength.   Objects that seem weak.		Painting from the series Extra Ordinary Objects, 2004 Objects that remain lifeless without a human hand.   Objects used without much thought.   Objects used by males are not necessarily masculine nor are objects used by females considered only feminine.   Objects with or without a gender identity.

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Cynthia Farnell

My father is a research pathologist who specializes in identifying effects of pharmaceuticals, environmental chemicals, food additives and other substances on various organs and tissues of the body. His professional life has involved many hours looking into the crosspieces of a microscope analyzing minute slices of biological material that have been stained and mounted on glass slides.
 
In addition to his work as a scientist, my father's avocation is gardening. His particular passion is collecting, growing, and crossbreeding a variety of lily called the crinum. Crinums are bulb-forming plants related to amaryllis lilies. They flourish in the semi tropical climate of Alabama, where I was raised, and where he and my mother Carolyn still live. The shape of this prolific plant is characterized by large clumps of strapping corn-like leaves, out of which arise one or more sturdy flower stalks. Cascading fountains of musk scented crinums in shades of white and pink are the centerpiece of his lush suburban acre.

 
The practice of horticultural hybridization is appealing to many scientists like my father, because it offers the opportunity for creativity within a familiar methodical structure, and the occasion to participate and reconnect with the rhythms of nature. It is a science and an art; instead of paint and canvas, the cross-breeder's media is the genetic material of pollen. I have observed my father select desirable traits from one of the varieties of crinums in his collection - a particularly delicate pink flower, for example - and cross pollinate it with another variety that has sturdier stalks, or a fuller growth habit. It is in this way that he strives for his version of ideal beauty.
 
These two aspects of his life work - pathology and crinums, are the starting points for my current body of work, "Shadows and Stains."

Through this work I am interested in visually representing relationships between scientific empiricism, theology, and beauty. Both shadows and stains are traces of events, objects, persons or phenomena we cannot see directly. The shadows and stains in my work may be thought of as metaphors for our impulse to solve the riddles of existence through science and art. In my father's case, science has served to reinforce, rather than refute, his ontological perspective, and has functioned as a rational framework within which he has been able to pursue Platonic ideals of beauty.

Stain #3

Inkjet print and saffron on Arches watercolour paper
9.5" x 34"
Artist's proof
2004

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About the Artists

Cynthia Farnell received a Master of Fine Arts of Photography from The Rhode Island School of Design, a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Auburn University, Alabama, and a Certificate of General Studies of Photography from The International Center of Photography in New York City.

In 2002 she participated in The Sloss Furnaces Metal Arts Program Emerging Artist Residency in Birmingham, Alabama, and during December 2003 was a Resident Fellow at the Virginia Center For Creative Arts in Amherst, Virginia. Her work has been included in exhibitions in Rhode Island, New York City, and France.
 
Farnell is a contributing reviewer to Art New England magazine, and has written on art in a variety of other publications. She lives in Rhode Island, where she is currently the Director of Hera Gallery.

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Bethany Bonner received a Bachelor of Fine Arts, Sculpture from Moore College of Art and Design, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and an Master of Fine Arts, Painting and Drawing, from Vermont College, Montpelier, Vermont.

She holds Teaching Certification in Art from the Alternate Route to Certification, Hartford, Connecticut. Bonner lives in Connecticut, where she is currently teaching Middle School Art.

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Related Lecture

In conjunction with the exhibit Shadows and Stains, Dr. Daniel R. ("Dan") Farnell,  
will speak on the history, geographic origins, biology, culture, and varieties of crinium lilies in an informal lecture titled "Crinum Lilies: Treasures of Old Southern Gardens." The talk, illustrated with color slides, will be at Hera Gallery on Saturday, July 31, at 3:00 p.m.

Cahaba River Lilies

Crinums are bulb-forming plants related to amaryllis lilies. Although uncommon today, crinums were once a standard feature of Southern gardens. One variety, the Southern Swamp Lily, is native to Dr. Farnell's home state, Alabama. Flower forms and colors range from ordinary to spectacular. Some of the largest bulbs and seeds of any plant are produced by crinums. While they are native to the warmer regions of the world, various crinum species are adapted to particular types of habitats, such as cool mountainous areas, desert-like conditions, bogs and swamps, and even the underwater environment of lakes and streams.
 
During a span of thirty years, Dr. Farnell has accumulated substantial knowledge of crinums through collecting, growing, and crossbreeding the plants; by study of published information on their history, biology, and culture; and by communication with other specialists who share his enthusiasm for the subject. He is a native of Mobile, Alabama, and currently resides in Birmingham, Alabama, where the climate is ideal for the propagation of this unique lily.

Crinum hybrid "Gulf Pride"

Dr. Farnell is a research pathologist who specializes professionally in identifying effects of pharmaceuticals, environmental chemicals, food additives, and other substances on various organs and tissues of the body. He has served on the faculties of Auburn University, Mississippi State University, and The University of South Alabama, and has published numerous papers and delivered lectures on a variety of scientific subjects. Dr Farnell holds a DVM, 1957 and MS, 1962, from Auburn University, Alabama, and PhD, pathology, 1969, from Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan.

Crinum photographs by Dr. Daniel R. Farnell

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