When I got to the top of the stairs, I was immediately drawn in by a bit of crumpled newspaper used to prop up a vintage wooden shelf in the windowsill. At that point, I knew this was going to be fun. Chris Powell’s Cell Series installation then now offers humor, contemplation, discovery, and all aspects of time. 

Top 10 things (from my perspective) to seek out in Chris Powell’s Cell Series installation, then now:

  1. Daily drawings of cones, Brahman bulls, and submarines revealed elsewhere in three-dimensional form. 

  2. Exposed layers of raw plywood resembling ancient sedimentary rock formations.

  3. Provisional dirt dauber nests cast in porcelain. 

  4. Afternoon light passing through utilitarian vessels.

  5. Immediacy of curling blue tape sharing shelf space with tiny ceramic animals.

  6. Igneous rock given to the artist years ago by Reilly Nail, co-founder of the OJAC.

  7. Glassine bags and carefully folded paper suggesting hidden treasures inside.

  8. Childhood photos of the artist and his wife.

  9. Discarded bottles given new life as terrariums.

  10. A moment to consider longevity among dome and tomato trellis.

Don’t worry, I haven’t given away all the surprises. There are so many more compelling and thoughtful groupings in the installation. It was difficult to stop at ten. Give yourself time to consider the relationships between objects and the dialogues they share. I’d venture to bet that even if you visited Powell’s Cell Series installation every day from now through May 14, you’d never see its entirety.

Amy Kelly

Registrar

Installation view; then now