For artist Natale Adgnot, curiosity is key. In her current exhibition, Life Cycle of a Bird Brain, on view at Sweet Lorraine Gallery in Brooklyn, September 4 – 29, Adgnot takes viewers on a journey that fractally combines language, logical fallacies, and bird imagery.
Having a background in fashion from her studies in Paris, Adgnot initially pursued more traditional career paths in graphic and fashion design. She shares, “I’ve always dreamed of being an artist, but I didn’t feel allowed to pursue that path because it seemed unrealistic to earn a living as one.” After working for a few years in these industries, she realized she was ignoring her true passion. In 2014, she finally gathered the courage to rent a studio and start her career as an artist.
The title, Life Cycle of a Bird Brain, draws inspiration from her two-year exploration of expressions related to birds found throughout the English language.
“I wanted to create a solo show that connects these expressions in a meaningful way and tells a story. As I reviewed my list of bird-related expressions, I began to link them to the human life cycle—exploring themes of birth, young adulthood, decline, death, and rebirth.”
Entering the gallery, visitors are greeted by an eye-catching installation titled Don’t Count Your Chickens Before They Hatch. This piece includes 49 textile nests, each filled with abstract images of chicks and eggs, symbolizing new beginnings. The exhibition then guides viewers clockwise through various wall sculptures, including The Early Bird Gets the Worm and Wild Goose Chase. Adgnot’s use of thermoplastic materials, inspired by her experiences in Tokyo, adds a hands-on quality to her work that invites closer inspection. Each piece is thoughtfully designed to spark curiosity, inspiring viewers to observe things from multiple perspectives.
“Over the years, I’ve come to understand that what we often consider absolute truths or the ‘correct’ way to do things is subjective. I want to remind myself and those who view my work to be humble and aware of our human fallibility.”
Looking forward, Adgnot aspires to expand the installation aspects of her work, particularly through exploring additional layers of textiles in her armature pieces. “I’ve created a piece with four layers, and I want to see how far I can push that,” she notes, expressing her excitement about the potential effects of adding more complexity to her creations.
Life Cycle of a Bird Brain is not just an exhibition; it’s an invitation to reflect on our perceptions and the narratives we construct. Through her unique blend of language and materiality, Natale Adgnot challenges us to reconsider the stories we tell ourselves and how we view the world.
