Outside the Hygienic Galleries in New London is a water feature dominated by a brass sculpture of the Greek goddess Gaia, who is depicted celebrating the Earth. Inside the gallery, Gaia reigns supreme, too, this time lamenting what man has done to the Earth.
"Gaia's Lament: Art Cry" is curated by Renee Rhodes, who created the outdoor sculpture and five pieces in the multi-artist exhibit. Rhodes, who in addition to being a sculptor is a clinical psychologist in New London, conceived of the show while participating in a huge climate-change demonstration in New York City last September.
"There was a moment of silence, and then this roar started. Everybody just started roaring. It was a real outcry," Rhodes said. "It was as if people's hearts were joined over their deep concern, even if they felt helpless to do anything."
Rhodes' show uses art to express this concern and helplessness, and its theme is based on the Nature Conservancy's eight consequences of climate change: higher temperatures; changing landscapes; wildlife at risk; rising seas; increased risk of drought, fire and floods; stronger storms and increased storm damage; more heat-related illness and disease; and economic losses.
Gray Jacobik's encaustics depict the Earth as seen from space, and Del-Bourree Bach's semi-surrealistic depiction of a whale confronts New London's history as a whaling hub. Su Dowling-Slover created a hollow globe with a Buddhist mandala inside. Some images in the show are hopeful. Others are grim. Linda Talerico joins Rhodes in her depiction of Gaia. Rhodes' realistic trees sculpted from brass are alive with goddesses, tree spirits and other female images.
The showstopper is Serena Bates' "A Murder of Crows," a flock of birds scattered all over both floors of the gallery, perched on branches, flying from the ceiling, resting on windowsills and disappearing up a staircase whose ancient look reveals the building's 1842 origins.
"GAIA'S LAMENT: ART CRY" opens July 3 at Hygienic Galleries, 79 Bank St. in New London, with a reception from 7 to 10 p.m., and runs until Aug. 4. hygienic.org.