Ice Lands 1994

Curator: Here we have Ronald Lockett's "Ice Lands" from 1994. It’s a striking mixed-media assemblage, primarily using metal. Editor: My first impression is…rust. An honest, unvarnished declaration in metallic hues. A kind of raw elegance that transcends its materials. Curator: Exactly! The rust, the salvaged metal…Lockett wasn’t interested in artifice. It was all about taking what was available. This reflects the cultural context he came from, a time when there were few options in the south of the USA. Think of it—the labor involved, hammering, cutting, joining…it’s an intense physical process, bearing marks of labor in every curve and connection. Editor: Those materials, those repetitive punctures…it’s as if the metal itself holds a memory. All the punctures evoke this sensation of cold; the "ice land" of the title alludes to desolation and silence and also reminds us of our wounded planet. I imagine it's speaking of trauma and displacement. Does it feel that way to you, or am I reading too much into this abstract assemblage? Curator: Not at all! Lockett frequently explored themes of struggle, and yes, displacement. I’d call this form of making "matter-painting" and that makes perfect sense. In this case, the surface isn't just where the color sits, it takes an important physical presence by it´s matter. There are clear references to abstract expressionism—the bold gestures, the emotional charge. But here, it's channeled through these found, discarded objects. The metal scraps give way to reflection through use, through its transformation, its scars… It’s poignant in its vulnerability. Editor: Absolutely. It takes these cast-off pieces and transforms them into something...sacred. To elevate the ordinary, and give it voice is so profoundly moving and inspiring. You really get to delve deep into it once you've explored a few times; it asks you something different each time! Curator: Well said, and it´s quite poetic to discover that "Ice Lands" invites contemplation and the acceptance of the reality we may be trying to push away.