The bread was edible, but not many people partook. Photo: Meira Gebel/Axios
Who are we from what we inherit? That was the question posed by the latest one-night exhibition put on by pop-up gallery Ethereal Reflections at Design Portland last weekend.
Out of more than 800 submissions, co-founders Emma Strgar and Lena Vasilenko selected works from 33 artists that zeroed in on how community and culture connect us and shape our identities.
Many of the works featured in the exhibit centered around childhood. Photos: Meira Gebel/Axios
Complete with an expansive bread table centerpiece — made up of more than 18 loaves — and wine served by local vintners Rubato and Suzor, the experience felt akin to communion in the way it inspired internal reflection.
Inside, an oil painting from local artist Victoria Dusseau offered a meditation on platonic love while a pair of photographs from Atlanta-based Erika Joseph showed the generational act of hair braiding among Black women.
Emi O'Brochta's raw wool constructions of a church dress and suit hung on one wall of the space, while Esther Choi's sculptures of fisherman boots and a pressed white T-shirt sat opposite.
If you go:Ethereal Reflections regularly hosts intimate gatherings — like silent reading nights, supper clubs and murder mystery parties — in addition to one-night art exhibitions.