Mesmerizing, light-infused artworks take over the Bruce Museum’s Sculpture Gallery in “Gisela Colón: Radiant Earth,” on view through June 28. Showcasing nine luminescent sculptures, the exhibition offers a powerful introduction to the work of internationally acclaimed sculptor Gisela Colón, whose radiant forms explore the profound forces and energies of the natural world.
A Puerto Rican American artist based in Los Angeles, Colón is known for her abstract, light-activated sculptures. Her work draws inspiration from the landscapes of Puerto Rico and California, integrating feminist and ecological histories as well as scientific principles. Colón’s sculptures expand the legacies of Minimalism, Light and Space and Land Art, while reflecting her childhood experience with Puerto Rico’s mountainous terrain and the sublime vistas of her adoptive homeland.
Colón’s practice is notable for its inventive use of advanced materials and plastics, developed in collaboration with scientific and aerospace industries. Colón has invented a proprietary method of “structural color,” layering materials to produce radiant colors activated by light. The exhibition includes her biomorphic “Pods,” wall-mounted works that appear to glow from within, and her monumental freestanding “Monoliths.” Cast in resin with swirling, iridescent natural pigments, the latter works evoke both ancient cultural and geological formations and futuristic cosmic phenomena.
The exhibition encourages viewers to experience immersive encounters with Colón’s works and prompts reflection on humanity’s connection to Earth and the universe. These sculptures encapsulate Colón’s mission to highlight the transformative power of nature, the energy of the cosmos, and a post-anthropocentric perspective on ecological history.
“‘Radiant Earth’ gathers the threads of art, science and nature that have defined my work for three decades, echoing my personal journey from Puerto Rico to Los Angeles and across the luminous deserts of the American West,” said Colón.
“Gisela Colón: Radiant Earth” is organized by guest curator Danielle O’Steen, Ph.D., a specialist in the history of plastics and American sculpture. O’Steen notes that “Colón is an innovator in the world of sculpture and plastics, developing distinctive methods to create visually transformative artworks. This exhibition offers a focused look at her practice, reflecting on the many ways she draws inspiration from the natural world.”
Current exhibition related programing:
-
Bruce Beginnings: Galaxy Sculpture
Tuesday, January 27, 10–10:45am and 11–11:45am;
Wednesday, January 28, 3–3:45pm - Bruce Beginnings Junior: Twinkle, Twinkle Shining Galaxies
Wednesday, January 28, 10–10:45am
Visit brucemuseum.org/events for the latest updates.
