This group exhibition at the Baltimore Theater Project brings together the works of Artemis Herber, Farida Hughes, Caryn Martin, and percussionist Matt Keown, presenting a tapestry of interconnected artistry that invites viewers to journey beneath the surface of their senses, their emotions, and their world.
At the heart of this exhibition is the featured performance, Below the Surface, an innovative collaboration between visual artist Farida Hughes and percussionist Matt Keown. This immersive, hour-long multimedia experience synthesizes Hughes' luminous abstract art and Keown's intricate percussion compositions. Together, they construct a dialogue that celebrates the primal forces of nature—creative volcanic activity, the flow of water, the resilience of the earth—as metaphors for the unknowable power of human creativity and connection. The performance underscores the necessity of bold creative impulses, especially in the wake of a global pandemic that reshaped our understanding of isolation and interdependence. The collaboration, supported by a 2023 Creativity Grant from the Maryland State Arts Council, premiered in 2023 in Baltimore and continues to resonate as a symbol of renewal and artistic courage.
Alongside this powerful performance, the exhibition highlights the evocative contributions of Caryn Martin and Artemis Herber. Caryn Martin will present a new site-specific installation that delves into the interplay of light and space. Her installation will encourage viewers to reflect on the subtleties of perception and the dynamic ways in which we inhabit physical and emotional landscapes, creating a deeply immersive experience tailored to the unique environment of the Baltimore Theater Project.
Artemis Herber presents her Danger Zones wall works and ceramic tiles found during her residency in Montegiovi, Tuscany, as part of her ongoing L’Olivo Millenario project. These tiles, adorned with drawings of ancient olive trees, encapsulate the spirit of collaboration and interconnectedness she experienced while working alongside a thousand-year-old Olivastra olive tree. Artemis’s pieces reflect the resilience of nature and humanity—a meditation on growth, transformation, and the enduring vitality of species shaped by time and community. Through these works, she explores how natural beings can inform and enrich artistic practice, bridging human and more-than-human worlds. Together, these works deepen the exhibition’s exploration of nature and collaboration, bridging individual artistic practices with collective narratives.
In this exhibition, collaboration emerges as both method and message. The artists draw inspiration not only from their disciplines but also from each other, weaving a shared vision that celebrates creativity as a force of transformation and connection.
Images by Vivian Marie Doering
