Natalie will be exhibiting her piece “Tree of Life” in the Tell-Tale Tiles & Fractured Fantasies exhibit, March 19 – April 19 2010 at the Philadelphia Magic Gardens, Philadelphia, PA. The exhibit explores contemporary tile making and ceramic mosaic as a story-telling medium in the spirit of artists Henry Chapman Mercer and Isaiah Zagar. The scope of the exhibition will be broadened to include social, political, personal and family stories. The exhibition is co-presented by Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens and theTile Heritage Foundation. The exhibition will be held at Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens, 1020-1026 South Street, Isaiah Zagar’s enormous mosaic labyrinth. The venue will provide a space for tile and mosaic artists from around the country and abroad to make powerful statements in their medium that are socially meaningful to both themselves and the community.

Here’s the narrative that will accompany Natalie’s tile piece: “The Tree of Life, a universal symbol found in many spiritual traditions, is a symbol of healing, growth and regeneration. Tall and strong, it has deep roots. It reaches skyward. It loses its leaves and grows new ones; it gives shelter. With nurture and care, it lives for generations. A tree also bears seeds or fruits, which contain the essence of the tree, and this continuous regeneration is a potent symbol of immortality.

The resounding feature of my work is the appearance of softness and lushness, as if one is looking at a wall textile. The work invites the hand to flow over the carved lines. The fluidity of the carved lines, combined with the strength and solidity of the imagery provides energy and a welcoming presence in any room.”