Charles M. Bair Family Gallery & Northwest Projects Gallery

We see our personal truths reflected, through photos and words, in the lives of others.
We are reminded, in this acrimonious age, of our commonalities. – Jane Waggoner Deschner

Jane Waggoner Deschner began work on her project, Remember me: a collective narrative in found words and photographs, in 2015, to respond to what she experienced as the “hostility growing in our country.” Intending an empathetic response, she began embroidering found family photographs with texts from obituaries written by anonymous family and friends.

The artist carefully pairs each vernacular photo with obituary text written about a different person, using repetition of standard elements to contain and unite the sentimental artifacts. While the photographs span the decades of popular black and white photography, chronicling people, places and times, the obituaries express familial self-representation and collective memory.

Through the constant, devotional act of stitching and connecting, Deschner has created an installation of over twelve hundred images and texts. Accompanying memorabilia allude to familiar home and office spaces. This accumulation of collected and remixed memories recalls the universal aspects of human experience.

This exhibition is an immersive installation installed to respond to the Charles M. Bair Family Gallery and Northwest Projects Gallery spaces.

 

 

exhibition sponsors

Larry and Ruth Martin
Jon Lodge
Aunt Dofe’s Gallery

Gordon McConnell and Betty Loos
Linda Shelhamer and Stephen Haraden

Dr. Ralph and Sheryl Costanzo
Mary Hernandez
Paige Spalding & James Hummell

Supported in part by a grant from the Montana Arts Council, an agency of the State Government.

 

 

related events

Stitch & Sip event with Jane Waggoner Deschner on Thursday, September 29 at 5:30 PM.

Artist Q&A with Jane Waggoner Deschner & photo collector Robert E. Jackson during ArtWalk on First Friday, October 7, reception at 5 PM, Artist Q&A followed by catalog signing at 6 PM.

November 12, 10 AM – 4 PM: “Art of Life” writing workshop with Jane Waggoner Deschner and Danell Jones, advance registration required.

December 10, Cabinets of Curiosity
Build a living space for a miniature version of who you want to be. Based on artwork by Jane Waggoner Deschner in her exhibition Remember me.