Georgia O’Keeffe Museum to Host ‘Place/Holding’ by Brian Fleetwood
Fleetwood’s creations from recycled single-use plastics will be on display at Museum’s May 3rd First Friday event
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE–April 12, 2024–(Santa Fe, NM)–Place/Holding, a mobile art exhibition by Brian Fleetwood, will be shown at the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum’s First Friday event on May 3 from 5:00-7:00 PM. First Fridays at the Museum offer free admission all day for New Mexico residents (10:00 AM-7:00 PM) and free admission for everyone from 5:00-7:00 PM.
Fleetwood (Muscogee) was named the first Mobile Artist in Residence in a partnership between the Museum’s Art to G.O. truck and Axle Contemporary. Fleetwood’s focus on community identity, jewelry-making, and plastics led him to communities in Northern New Mexico, collecting single-use plastics from which he created jewelry.
Place/Holding pieces were created from plastics collected over the past several months. At collection events, Fleetwood gave demonstrations on vacuum forming and injection molding and discussed the inspiration for the jewelry designs. The Axle artspace will now travel around Santa Fe with all the jewelry created, for viewing and for purchase, as well as a display of photographs of the pieces and the process.
“At its core, the project seeks to obtain valuable resources without being extractive or transactional, fostering a sense of inclusivity and shared ownership,” Fleetwood said. “The project’s primary focus is the transformation of wasteful single-use plastics, collected from the communities it visited, into meaningful, collaboratively designed small objects meant to be worn or carried on the body.”
The Museum will also welcome Adrian Wall (Jemez Pueblo) to fill the Museum patio with his musical storytelling, traditional and contemporary song, and Native American flute.
Place/Holding and Axle Contemporary will also host an opening reception on Friday, April 19, from 5:00-7:00 PM, at the Santa Fe Railyard Plaza and on Saturday, April 20, from 10:00 AM-2:00 PM, behind SITE Santa Fe.
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For media inquiries, contact:
Renee Lucero
Public Relations Manager, Georgia O’Keeffe Museum
505-946-1063
rlucero@gokm.org
ABOUT THE GEORGIA O’KEEFFE MUSEUM: Since 1997, the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum celebrates the art, life, and independent spirit of Georgia O’Keeffe. Located in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where Georgia O’Keeffe lived the final decades of her life, the O’Keeffe has sites and experiences in two historic destinations, Santa Fe and Abiquiú. For more information, please visit gokm.org
ABOUT AXLE CONTEMPORARY: Axle Contemporary is a pioneering mobile art platform that plays a pivotal role in the innovative collaboration with the Mobile Artist in Residence project. Housed within a mobile gallery space, Axle Contemporary has redefined the traditional concept of art exhibitions. In this collaboration, Axle Contemporary serves as both a dynamic exhibition space and a catalyst for community engagement. Their expertise in mobile art installations and exhibitions amplifies the impact of the project, allowing it to reach diverse audiences across different locations.
ABOUT BRIAN FLEETWOOD: Brian Fleetwood is a multifaceted artist, a dedicated faculty member at the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA), and a proud member of the Muscogee Creek Nations. With a passion for creativity and community engagement, Brian’s artistic journey takes him beyond conventional boundaries. His work not only pushes the boundaries of art but also explores the interconnectedness of culture and sustainability. As the inaugural artist-in-residence for the Mobile Artist in Residency project, Brian brings his unique perspective to the forefront, reshaping the way we perceive art, waste, and community collaboration.
Axle Contemporary programming is supported by Axle Projects, Inc. Axle Projects’ operations are supported through individual donations and grants, including from the City of Santa Fe’s Arts & Culture Department.. This project is made possible in part by New Mexico Arts, a division of the Department of Cultural Affairs, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Exhibitions in the Santa Fe Railyard are made possible through the support of The Railyard Art Project.
