Laura Petrovich Cheney, All Directions Point That Way, Salvaged Wood

Size: 76 x 76 cm Medium: Salvaged Wood When creating this piece, many thoughts danced in my head. I chose the star as the dominant visual element, inspired by humanity's timeless fascination with the night sky and the guidance found in the stars. from ancient civilizations to modern technologies, stars have always played a crucial role in navigation. I then considered the cardinal directions—North, East, South, and West—and how they symbolize more than just navigational tools. Each direction holds deep meaning and is tied to one of the four elements of life. Poets and philosophers have long written about the mystical nature of these elements. Throughout history, ancient civilizations have revered the powers of the four cardinal directions, viewing them as both sacred and practical. Thus, the star transforms into a circle, with arrows pointing in the four cardinal directions, forming an X shape with strong diagonals. Reflecting on both the sky and earthly navigation, I selected various shades of blue-grey and green to symbolically represent the earth and sky. Of course, these thoughts only occur to me after I have completed the artwork. While cutting the wood and arranging the shapes, I work intuitively, simply enjoying the creative process. Laura Petrovich-Cheney Laura Petrovich-Cheney transforms wood scraps into mesmerizing works of art. Trained as a fashion designer, painter and sculptor, she brings her expertise to create stunning geometric compositions from simple rectangles and triangles. Her creations exude luminosity and depth. They evoke imagery ranging from stained glass windows to intricate lattices, offering glimpses into unseen worlds beyond their surfaces. Some of Laura's artworks draw you in like whirlpools, with their intricate patterns captivating viewers. Others hold onto their secrets, wrapped in mystery like the closed shutters of summer homes. These wall sculptures possess a unique dynamism, their rigid structures interplaying with undulating waves, uneven heights, and surfaces bearing the marks of time. In their essence, they echo the monumental potential of textiles, while simultaneously celebrating the intimacy found within the most ordinary of building materials. Her recent sculptures spark conversations about individual and environmental concerns, drawing inspiration from feminism and traditional women's arts like needlework, weaving and quilting. Laura's artistic process involves repurposing discarded materials, searching for the stories they hold about personal histories, identity, and humanity. Much of the wood Laura uses comes from her experiences living through Hurricane Sandy in New Jersey. Some pieces are sourced from home renovations or simply discarded furniture found on the street. Regardless of their origins, she infuses these materials with new life, finding meaning and purpose in their transformation. Stories of attachment, love, loss, and broken homes are woven into her art, creating narratives of healing and second chances that resonate on both personal and universal levels. Laura exhibits her work nationally, both in solo and group shows, at prestigious venues like The Toledo Museum of Art, Berea College, and the Boston Children's Museum. She has received grants from esteemed organizations such as the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Park Service, and the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation. Laura has participated in artist residencies at institutions like the Society of Arts and Crafts and the Vermont Studio Center. In recognition of her talent, she was awarded the New Jersey State Council on the Arts Fellowship in Sculpture in 2017, followed by the Artist Fellowship in Crafts from the Massachusetts Cultural Council in 2021. Laura holds a BA in Fine Arts and English Literature from Dickinson College, an MS degree in Fashion Design from Drexel University, and an MFA in Studio Arts from Moore College of Art and Design. About the Gallery: Folly and Muse was established in 2015 in London to find and collaborate with the most creative, talented, emerging and mid-career artists from all around the world. Folly & Muse (since 2019 in Munich) has made it their mission to curate unique works of an exceptional quality and bring them to savvy contemporary art collectors with an eye out for abstract and figurative paintings, photography and sculptural works of art.