On Thursday, February 6 the Housatonic Museum of Art (HMA) celebrated the opening of a new exhibit that blends local history, innovative glass sculptures and our collective cultural and natural landscape.
The opening reception for “The Hypogean Tip” by Brooklyn artist Rachel Owens was attended by art and history enthusiasts alike. The exhibit documents the front porch of Mary Freeman’s historic home in Bridgeport. Cast in richly colorful glass mixed with found shells, broken bottles and marsh reeds, one can see, and stand on, the porch boards from a tangible relic of a settlement not found in American history books: Little Liberia.
Bridgeport’s Liberia (which means Free Land) was a community comprised of free Blacks and Native Americans. Established in 1822, when the majority of Black people in America were enslaved, and located on the waterfront in the city’s south end, this free settlement of free people of color was founded on the ideal of equality. There, siblings Mary and Eliza Freeman built their homes that still stand today.
“Inspired by the story of these pioneering women, Rachel Owens has (re)presented history for us in through a contemporary lens,” said Robbin Zella, HMA Director. “Part of Owens’ ongoing project, Life on the Other Side of a Cracked Glass Ceiling, the Freeman sisters exemplify what a society looks like when there is gender equality, social, and economic justice.”
In the back gallery, the exhibit includes sculptures cast in coal and marble dust, signifying the change in Bridgeport’s landscape from agrarian to industrial. The evolution of Bridgeport into an urban city forever redesigned its identity, and eventually decimated the Little Liberia community.
“You cannot tell the story of our community without exploring its past, and this new exhibit at HMA tells it proudly in spectacular and powerful sculptures,” said Dr. Thomas G. Coley, Acting HCC President. “I encourage anyone with an interest in history and contemporary art to come see this sensational show.”
The exhibit will be on view through Saturday, March 21, 2020. Free programming to accompany the exhibition will also take place. On February 20 at 5:30 p.m., musician Laura Ortman will engage the scaffolded sculptures of Owens’ exhibit by playing violin as well as employing native instruments and digital effects. On Saturday, February 29th at 2pm join artist Rachel Owens for a conversation in the galleries. On March 5 at 5:30pm, performance artist Lachell Workman will engage with the history of housing in Bridgeport, CT spanning from the work of the Freeman sisters to today.
The Housatonic Museum of Art is located in Lafayette Hall on the HCC campus at 900 Lafayette Blvd. in Bridgeport, CT. The galleries are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Thursday evening until 7 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. To learn more visit https://museum.housatonic.edu/ or call 203-332-5052.