Solar activity and the interconnected survival systems linking the sun, plants and other living organisms inspired Eating Sunshine, the new exhibition by artist Julie Evans at the Boca Raton Museum of Art in Boca Raton, Florida, on view through Oct. 20.
Root Ribbon © Julie Evans
The exhibition brings together 48 works: 24 ceramic sculptures paired with 24 paintings, works on paper and assemblages on mylar. Bright, tactile and thought-provoking, the pieces range from glazed ceramic sculptures such as Don’t You Worry ‘Bout A Thing (2023) and Root Ribbon (2019) to paintings like Naturelab (2018). The show moves between two and three dimensions, inviting viewers to consider both artistic intuition and the broader natural forces at play — a timely conversation as the planet experiences increased solar activity.
“While geared towards efficiency and survival, these interrelated systems of nature here on Earth and on our Sun share extraordinary power, logic, elegance, and beauty that is far beyond what we can see or understand,” said Evans.
Always There © Julie Evans
Originally from New York City, Evans emerged as a significant presence during the 1990s Chelsea art scene, contributing to the transformation of an industrial neighborhood into a vibrant arts district. Her career since then has been marked by a consistent exploration of color, form and natural processes.
“Her works are imbued with penetrating colors and bold forms. Like nature, her art is both macro and micro, expansive and abstract, bursting with life in intricate detail,” said Kathleen Goncharov, senior curator at the Boca Raton Museum of Art. “Evans’ intent is for the viewer to engage slowly and observe the incredible variety of forms, shapes, colors, and exquisite details found in her paintings and sculptures.”
Evans’ work appears in more than 300 private and public collections, including the U.S. Art in Embassies Program, the Rubin Museum of Art, and corporate collections such as Microsoft and JPMorgan Chase. Eating Sunshine offers a concentrated look at her ongoing study of natural systems, inviting visitors to linger, reflect and discover the subtle relationships between light, life and form.