“The flowers, long used as a metaphor, are given as symbols of love on various holidays and presented at funerals as a symbol of comfort during times of grief,” noted artist Marissa Bridge. “My reason for portraying the life cycle of the orchid is to understand life through observing nature: being born, growing, maturing, ripening, then slowly fading, lowering one’s head and dying.”
 |
|
“#22 Orchid Series, 2012-2015” by Marissa Bridge. |
“Silent Journey” by Bridge will debut at Dodds & Eder Home on Sunday, April 12th, and be on view through Monday, June 15th. The exhibit showcases a series of 36 oil paintings, which portrait the story of a phalaenopsis orchid from start to finish. After the tragic passing of her first husband, Bridge was inspired to create a narrative series to help her cope with the loss and to also honor the experience of watching her young stepsons grow after she remarried.
“The work honors the miracle of life’s existence, the capacity for growth and change, and the beauty in each stage of life,” Bridge explained. “Each piece stands alone as a complete painting, and also relates to the series as a whole.”
An opening reception for “Silent Journey” will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 2nd. The celebration will feature intricate creations by Sag Harbor Florist to compliment the exhibition.
A selection from Bridge’s new series entitled “Lilith,” is currently on view at Dodds & Eder Home. For the collection, Bridge used a dark background to set off the bold, radiating hues of the seductively commanding female energy jumping out from each flower in the daylily series.
Dodds & Eder Home is located at 11 Bridge Street in Sag Harbor. For more information, call 631-725-1175 or visit www.doddsandeder.com.
