Staff report
INHABIT Galerie will host HIVE / BUZZ art exhibition from April 12 to June 29 to highlight bees’ critical role in society and their current endarenegement concerns.
The show plans to explore the intricate relationship between humans and bees through modern-day art.
The opening reception will take place on April 11th, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
The display analyzes the different connotations of the word “buzzâ€, further than its association with insect sounds, energy, motion, or to feel inebriated.
According to a press release, the complexity of our relationships with these insects also delves into the fear instilled in humans for bees’ danger but also the allure of the honey they produce.
“Throughout history they have been the focus of myths and mythology, being both protected by Churches and likened alongside Witchcraft and Feminine power, mainly due to their Matriarchal societal structure,†said Marisa Ravalli, owner of Inhabit Galerie.
“Our fascination with bees goes back to our earliest days, and bees and art have a long history which continues to today, with countless artists working with bee and apiary topics and or using encaustic paints and techniques, beeswax, honey, honeycomb and even bees themselves.â€
HIVE / BUZZ intends to honor and spread awareness as well as knowledge of bees in the world, highlighting the vital contributions they bring to the ecosystem.
“Around 70 percent of food crops depend on their daily pollination. One in four bees is at risk of extinction. Pesticides, Climate change, habitat loss, invasive species, and the varroa mite are the biggest threats to bees,†Ravalli said about the cruciality of bees to human survival.
The featured artists strive to open the dialogue for conversations and solutions to be achieved to save not only bees but also our ecosystem.
The solo project, HIVE, by Nancy Davidson, will feature a large, pink “hive†sculpture symbolizing mythology, psychoanalysis and sexuality. Her art piece HIVE- OYESS (2022) references Medusa, Artemis, and classical architecture while exploring themes of femininity, sexuality, and societal structures.
On the other hand, the group exhibition BUZZ will feature work from four other artists:
- Lindsay Brenner: Brenner creates whimsical hand-drawn works featuring powerful female figures like Queen Bees and Mermaids, celebrating mythology and feminine power. She is also a member of the New Mexico Pod Squad.
- Helen K. Garber – “Magic Boxes”: Garber uses mixed-media encaustic works blending photography, text, and natural elements such as horsehair and sage. These pieces explore storytelling, alchemy, and nostalgia.
- Anna Hulacova – “Bugonia and Alien Bees”: Hulacova’s sculptures incorporate beeswax and live bee activity, inspired by ancient Greek myths linking bees to human civilization’s origins.
- Jan Karpisek: Karpisek works with live bees to modify drawings, including portraits of political figures, symbolizing destruction and transformation in both ecological and political contexts.
The exhibition will also feature discussions by local apiary experts, that are set to include a brief history of bees in art, from ancient cave paintings and Egyptian hieroglyphs to Baroque art and modern eco-conscious street murals.
The event is free and open to the public to further education on bee conservation.
INHABIT Galerie is located at 4436 Corrales Rd., 87048 and can be contacted at (505) 524–5856 or via email at marisainhabit@gmail.com.Â
The gallery is open Thursday through Sunday from noon-5 p.m. and by appointment.