Nature Showcased at William Campbell Gallery

William Campbell Gallery (WCG) is pleased to announce the upcoming exhibition Symbiosis: Nature Revealed, featuring nature-inspired works by Texas artists Beverly Penn and Luther Smith. The exhibition will run from January 27 to March 9, 2024 at the gallery’s Foch Street location.

Symbiosis explores the relationship between art and the environment, while examining the impact of human beings on the natural world. Both Beverly Penn, a sculptor, and Luther Smith, a fine art photographer, draw inspiration from the rich landscapes and botanical wonders of Texas. While their artistic mediums differ, their shared appreciation for the environment binds their work together, resulting in a thematically cohesive and visually stunning exhibition.

Beverly Penn’s sculptures recontextualize botanical elements. and embody the resilience of nature through the timeless medium of bronze, delicately crafted to memorialize plants. Her subjects are often small, delicate stems with berries or leaves presented either in their individual forms or carefully arranged into large sculptures. Penn’s intention, as described by the artist herself, is “to encourage a more mutually beneficial relationship between people and the natural world.”

Penn’s work has appeared in such publications as Art in America, Artlies, Metalsmith, the New Art Examiner, Sculpture magazine, and the New Orleans Art Review. She is the recipient of numerous fellowships, including a Rockefeller Foundation residency in Bellagio, Italy; a Connemara Conservancy Artist Grant; grants from the Texas Commission on the Arts; and a Fulbright Fellowship in Barcelona, Spain. Her sculptures are included in prestigious collections across the country, including the Cooper Hewitt Museum and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Top l-r: Beverly Penn; Asperula, 2023, Bronze, 24” x 96” x 6”
Bottom l-r: Luther Smith; Whites Branch, Fossil Creek, October 2019, 20” x 30”

Luther Smith, a former professor at TCU and accomplished landscape photographer, captures the beauty of untouched Texas landscapes. Smith’s photographs, taken near his Fort Worth home, invite viewers to rediscover the awe-inspiring splendor of the unblemished natural world through vibrant and unexpected images.

Smith’s photographs have found a home in esteemed public collections, including the Amon Carter Museum of American Art, the Library of Congress, and the Dallas Museum of Art, among others. His work has been featured in renowned publications such as Photography 9, Photography 8, and Photography 7. He has also contributed to periodicals like Fort Worth Magazine and American Artist Magazine.

Symbiosis: Nature Revealed promises to be a visually striking exploration of the interconnectedness between art and the natural world. Don’t miss the opportunity to experience the magic of nature through the work of these two exceptional artists.

The public is invited to attend the opening reception on January 27th from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at 217 Foch Street, Fort Worth, TX 76107.