The Cartography of Silence, a solo show of works on paper by Tess Mosko Scherer explores the complexities of staying silent, being still, and listening. This show is an invitation to personal exploration through the expressions of this esteemed artist. As a keen observers of the human condition her art work reflects her observations that are at once deeply personal and universal. The depth of her inner-reflection makes the work that much more relatable. As you take time to walk through the show and absorb the complexity of the work the multilayered meanings begin to reveal
themselves.
Mosko Scherer on The Cartography of Silence:
“The title of this show comes from a line in the book, When Women Were Birds by Terry Tempest Williams. Through 54 short, lyrical chapters, Williams explores the question ‘what does it mean to have a voice?’
“Reading this book touched me in a familiar yet profound way as a seeker of my own voice, or expression, as an artist, a woman and a global citizen. As a transformative life coach I work with women who seek to find or reconnect with their voices, be it for themselves or to champion a cause”. The work in the show pulls references from Williams’ book as well as from the artist’s work with young women in China, Bangladesh and the United States.”
“The process of making the work is as significant and symbolic as the finished work”, says Mosko Scherer. The crumpled-ness of the paper represents the difficult terrain of our inner-worlds where we confront our light and shadow aspects of ourselves. With roots in the book arts, paper has been a primary material for the artist to explore the fragilities of life’s complexities. Each piece starts as a blank sheet of paper that is torn, soaked and sometimes peeled apart. The paper curls and folds in reaction, much like how our own lives are shaped by events, beliefs, and emotions. The thread symbolizes the holding on or the letting go of ideas, emotions, people or events. Soft pastels add color.
Mosko Scherer has a diverse background in the arts that includes a 30 year career as a gallerist, ending in 2006 to devote herself to her art and coaching. Since 2012, she has served on the board of the Arizona Artists Guild holding various positions including President and was the Artistic Director of Shemer Art Center and Museum. She was named one of the ‘100 Creatives’ by the Phoenix New Times in 2016. In addition to her studio practice, Mosko Scherer has a private practice as a transformative life coach. Additionally, she is a program facilitator, curriculum consultant and
serves on the advisory board of the World Academy for the Future of Woman. Active in the central Arizona arts scene, she is a member of several art organizations including the Sonoran Arts League, Art Link and Art Intersection. Her work is represented by Van Gogh’s Ear Gallery, Prescott, exhibited nationally, and has won several awards in juried shows in Arizona.
The Cartography of Silence runs from January 17
through February 16, 2020.
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Sundays from 11:00-3:00 pm. Other hours by appointment.