Carving out meaning
The artists on view quite literally carve out meaning through material.
Through the act of relief carving with box cutters and small sculptural tools, Hannah Parrett breathes new life into foam and wood. The process, which she likens to drawing, has the effect of creating an abstracted frame or window through which to explore both real and imagined spaces.
Erika NJ Allen sculpts vessels adorned with portraits and ceramic foliage. Bananas appear as a symbolic metaphor for global histories of exploitative labor. Hollowed out, the peels remain.
Erika NJ Allen
With 3,500 square feet of exhibition space, viewers will encounter two more impressive exhibits on the lower level.
Erika NJ Allen’s work has a conceptual slant, though her luminous porcelain with gold leaf detailing will pull you in regardless of the background story.
The hefty title confirms that there’s more than meets the eye. “This is Not a Banana Republic — A Manifesto of Empire Domination, the Immigration Experience, and Empathy” prompts some digging.
Installation view of 'Erika NJ Allen: This is Not a Banana Republic...' at the Weston Art Gallery in Cincinnati, including '1899 Banana Wall Series'. CONTRIBUTED
Born in Guatemala, and currently residing in Cincinnati where she teaches at the Art Academy of Cincinnati, Allen’s mixed-media installation explores both the artist’s personal journey and the broader immigrant experience.
Though banana imagery tends to come with some inherited pop-art-comedy (Charlie Chaplin, Andy Warhol), Allen has employed the quotidian object to represent marginalized communities and the global histories of labor and exploitation within the banana industry.
The source material began with a personal experience. In 2019, Allen underwent a hysterectomy, an experience that changed her relationship with her body, food, and art.
“During recovery, fruits and vegetables became more than sustenance; they became meditative symbols of resilience and healing. This connection inspired me to replicate the produce I consumed in clay, imprinting real fruits onto ceramic surfaces,” she said.
This connection evolved into a political dialogue about the banana industry, which has faced several controversies including labor and human rights concerns, environmental damage due to agrochemicals, and the US military-led legacy of the “Banana Wars”.
Erika NJ Allen, 'Domestic Fallout, 1837-1901', 2025, Uranium glass, stoneware, porcelain, underglae, glaze, clear glossy banana glaze, 24k golf luster, decayed banana flowers, black light, and Guatemalan Quetzales. The uranium emits a radioactive glow when illuminated with blacklight.
An intriguing wall display features Guatemalan money placed inside early 20th century uranium glass compote dishes. Displayed on floating shelves over backlights, they emit a radioactive glow. Layers of meaning are both hidden and revealed.