Gina Phillips will present “The Roots of Memory” at the Hammond Regional Arts Center  which will include pieces centered around the theme of time.
Courtesy of Gina Phillips

The Hammond Regional Arts Center will host “The Roots of Memory” exhibition by Gina Phillips from Apr. 7 to 28. The opening reception will be held from 5-8 p.m. on Apr. 7. 

The exhibition’s focus will be on Phillips’ artwork by Hammond Art Guild member and mixed media artist Shanna D’Antonio will also be displayed in the Marjorie Morrison Annex Gallery. 

“We are thrilled to be showcasing the artwork of Gina Phillips throughout the month of April, which also happens to be Membership Appreciation Month at HRAC,” said HRAC Executive Director Katherine Marquette. 

Phillips is a New Orleans artist, originally from Kentucky. Her artwork has been on display in Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Asheville Art Museum, Pepperdine University, Ballroom Marfa, Ogden Museum of Southern Art, New Orleans Museum of Art and 21c Museum Hotels. Initially a painter, Phillips has developed her style to involve threads and fabrics. 

“Phillips is known as a New Orleans premiere mixed media narrative artist and is a huge deal in the contemporary art world,” said Tara Bennett, the HRAC media coordinator. “She was selected as one of 27 international artists featured in the Prospect.2 Biennial of Contemporary Art curated by Dan Cameron, and her collection of fabric portraits was exhibited as a solo project at VOLTA8 as part of Art Basel, Switzerland. That’s merely a glimpse of her impressive resume.” 

Artwork selected for the exhibition will be tied together with a theme recalling “The Roots of Memory.” 

“Her work utilizes a traditional craft but turns it into a piece of contemporary artwork that possesses a living, breathing quality to it,” said Bennett. “A primary theme that will be seen is the passage of time, whether it is in the form of baby teeth or cutout depictions of trees. These images are used as multi-scale tapestries consisting of fabric mixed with paint. It’s truly a sight to behold her work up close.” 

HRAC designed the April exhibition as an opportunity for students and Hammond residents who cannot make it to New Orleans to experience the city’s artwork. 

“Work of this caliber is a sight to behold anywhere, but being able to see it here in Downtown Hammond, is a particularly special opportunity,” said Marquette. 

All opening receptions at HRAC are free and open to the public. Bennett encourages those interested to attend the exhibition and see what it has to offer. 

“If you’ve ever wanted to see what a $10,000 quilt looks like, now’s your chance,” said Bennett. 

More information can be found by contacting HRAC at 985-542-7113 or on their Facebook at Hammond Regional Arts Center.