Farther Along: Drawings by Clara McClenon at Matthaei Botanical Gardens

Now through July 2016 Matthaei Botanical Gardens features an exhibit of drawings by Clara McClenon. McClenon is a recent University of Michigan graduate (MFA and Master of Science in Information). Bringing together art and science, McClenon's drawings closely examine our visual experience and are "motivated by questions of how we find, use, and, ultimately, create meaning out of information," according to her website.

McClenon's series of 42 drawings is based on a measured investigation of a tree-lined path. Walking Matthaei’s nature trails, McClenon took a photograph every 25 feet walking 500 feet down a path, and then returning. Using charcoal, gesso, acrylic paint, matte and gloss media, collaged paper, and other media, McClenon she created a drawing for each of the 42 trail photographs.

Increasingly, visitors at Matthaei Botanical Gardens & Nichols Arboretum find great nature and great art at side by side. In May 2016, "Hidden Worlds"---an exhibit of ceramic sculptures of pollen by University of Michigan Stamps School of Art professor Susan Crowell---wowed crowds at Matthaei.

More examples of Clara McClenon's work can be viewed at claramcclenon.com. 

See below for several examples from the exhibit of Farther Along:

A. Farther Along (drawing from photograph)

Willow charcoal, charcoal pencil and
gesso on paper

5 x 7"

2016

A. Farther Along (original photograph)

B. Farther Along (drawing from photograph)

Willow charcoal, charcoal pencil, acrylic and
gesso on paper

5 x 7"

2016

B. Farther Along (original photograph)

C. Farther Along (drawing from photograph)

Willow charcoal, charcoal pencil and
gesso on paper

5 x 7"

2016

C. Farther Along (original photograph)

D. Farther Along  (drawing from photograph)

Willow charcoal, charcoal pencil, acrylic and
gesso on paper 

5 x 7" 

2016

D. Farther Along (original photograph)

Matthaei Botanical Gardens is open 10 am-8 pm daily.

1800 N. Dixboro Rd.

Ann Arbor, MI 48105

mbgna.umich.edu