Tracing Legacy

January 19, 2024 - May 15, 2024

Brant Weiland is interested in the way a physical collection preserves and forms connections, seeking to better understand how objects influence an individual's perception of place and identity. His inspiration for this body of work stems from his family lineage and the roots of their traditions. These collections represent shared experiences based on interviews and items he grew up with. The pieces show how a grouping of objects creates a narrative through touchstones of memory. Weiland utilizes mold-making primarily for its ability to borrow from the world, reproducing impressions from slip it morphs them into ghostly echoes. Working with porcelain makes use of the material's extreme durability while the translucent quality of the clay speaks to its ability to both reveal and obscure. This helps us consider how we form a connection to the past, and contributing factors that are built upon layers of experience and chance.

Brant Weiland earned his MFA focusing on ceramics at the University of Iowa. He was raised on a farm in Northern Iowa, with a lifelong curiosity about his connection to the land and the items that resonate with his family's story. This has led Weiland to investigate the role of collections, personal heirlooms, and the recreation of objects from memories.

To view more of his work, please visit www.brantweiland.com

Brant Weiland, Wrinkled and Wound, 2021, porcelain, wood, felt, 20" x 34" x 6"