Omnipresence is a meditation of Perry-Herrera’s co-creation with nature in this time of climate change. Her large-scale cyanotypes preserved in resin feature trees through the altered seasons. She presents the disappearing seasons of autumn and spring as synonymous to death and birth and equally as precious by seducing the viewer with their delicate, myopic, porcelain-like impressions. Winter, as consistently extending its season, is depicted as a long and farsighted landscape, and seeing the forest for the trees. Summer encounters violent storms that cause many young trees to fall before their time. Here, the artist prints the dying tree’s leaves to immortalize their present state.

Perry-Herrera also investigates the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide interexchange between humans and trees. Since trees provide us our oxygen rich air, that ultimately sustains human life, the artist links that fundamental and symbiotic connection back to our origin of consciousness. In collaboration with sound artist, Kotorbay, carefully curated recordings permeate the gallery space via small abstract pieces that are seen, and heard, to breathe. The abstract artworks were created during the artist’s meditation sittings in the sun.

In the words of the artist: “The synchronicity of our breath connects us to our consciousness. Our collective consciousness is inherently connected to all life on this planet. In this consciousness, we awaken to a new reality. One in which we realize that we are contaminating our air, water, and soil. It is changing who we are and what we are. In this anthropocene, a new nature is born. One that is both organic and synthetic. Both conscious and mechanical.”

Through process, performance, ritual, visual art and sound, the exhibition is intended to be an immersive interdisciplinary experience that attempts empathic action toward positive environmental change.

Brenda Perry-Herrera (b. Juarez, Mexico, 1978) is an artist who emigrated from Mexico at the age of three and grew up in the U.S.-Mexican border region of west Texas. Her work often explores themes of social and ecological relevance. In multiple projects, the artist has undertaken the roles of researcher, airplane pilot, programmer, scientist, educator, and mother. Perry-Herrera holds a Bachelor of Art degree from Columbia College, a Master of Art degree in Art Education from University of Texas El Paso, and a Master of Fine Art from School of Visual Arts. She has exhibited nationally and internationally at institutions such as BRIC, McKinney Avenue Contemporary, New York Hall of Science, El Paso Museum of Art, and Museo de Arte de Ciudad Juárez. She has also been the recipient of numerous awards and fellowships, such as En Foco Photography Fellowship Award. Perry-Herrera is currently represented by Praxis Gallery and her work has been acquired by various private and public collections. The artist lives and works between Texas and New York.