It’s All About the Story, Volume X: Mary Rocap

In 2013 the Hillsborough Gallery of Arts began an annual show highlighting the work of a local writer by responding visually to his or her work. In the past, this show has been inspired by the work of writers with local ties: Michael Malone, Lee Smith, Allan Gurganus, Jill McCorkle, Nancy Peacock, John Bemis, Elizabeth Keckly, composer Billy Strayhorn and poet Jaki Shelton Green. This year the show returns, highlighting the work of North Carolina singer/songwriter Mary Rocap. The gallery’s 21 artists have each chosen a song from Ms. Rocap’s CD, Deep December Dreams, as inspiration for a work of art in their chosen medium.
Sculptor Lynn Wartski has interpreted Mary Rocap’s song Jupiter and Venus as a dancing rabbit, in a felted wool sculpture titled “Venus Dances for Herself”. “The song is a re-imagining of the myth based on the December sky conjunction of the two planets,” explained Wartski. “My sculpture is a re-imagining of Mary’s song. She tells the tale of Venus’s yearly plea to Jupiter to accept her and Mars’ love child. My Venus is dancing to please herself, and doesn’t care if she has Jupiter’s approval. She is dancing with her own joy.”
Botanical artist Chris Graebner was inspired by the song “Cotton” to look at the cotton blossom more closely. Cotton is in the mallow family which makes it a relative of hibiscus, okra and hollyhocks, among other garden favorites. Its flowers are similar to theirs in shape, but while cotton flowers are white when they open, after pollination they begin to change color and in several days they become a bright fuchsia.
Nancy Smith was inspired by the song “Oleander” to create a portrait. The song speaks about a mother’s giving her beautiful daughter a poisonous name for protection. In creating the painting, Nancy imagined the daughter holding onto her innocence despite living the legacy of her mother’s curse.
The images in Deep December Dreams provided fertile inspiration for the Hillsborough Gallery of Arts’ 21 visual artists. Their work will be on display from February 20th through March 24th with a reception in the gallery on February 23rd from 6-9pm during Hillsborough’s Last Friday Art Walk. In addition, HGA will host a performance by Ms. Rocap in the gallery on Sunday, March 10th from 4-6pm. Both events are free and open to the public.
About the Hillsborough Gallery of Arts
The Hillsborough Gallery of Arts is owned and operated by 21 local artists and represents these established artists exhibiting contemporary fine art and fine craft. The Gallery’s offerings include painting, sculpture, ceramics, photography, photomontage, jewelry, glass, metals, encaustic, enamel, and wood. 121 N. Churton Street, Hillsborough, NC 27278. Phone: (919) 732-5001. The gallery is open 10am-6pm Tuesday – Saturday, and 12pm-4pm on Sunday. More information can be found on the HGA website: http://www.HillsboroughGallery.com