Incanto—Words and Sculptures Coming to Lewis Ginter

“Incanto”, coming to Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden at the end of April, explores human nature, while inviting visitors into a transformational space of self-inquirty. Created from metal and words, two artists—sculptor Kate Raudenbush and poet Sha Michele—combine their creative skills in five monumental sculptures that exploring profound concepts of identity and the higher self. Instead of an attempt to form conclusions with the artworks, the artists hope that the dialogue of art forms and inclusive physical experience of the art will offer meditative questions for open-hearted explorers to answer for themselves.

Intricately and beautifully designed from a range of laser-cut, mixed metals such as weathered steel, mirror-polished, hammered stainless steel; and patinated bronze, most of the sculptures invite visitors to step inside. With heights reaching up to seventeen feet, they serve as veritable portals to other worlds of thought, meaning, and healing.

Each piece is created in dialogue with the landscape, embracing companion plantings and water features developed in collaboration with the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden Horticulture team. Dramatically lit from within and paired with poetry, the art creates multi-sensory experiences that will invite further exploration at night. The Garden will offer many related events and classes, and even extended hours on select evenings.

Kate Raudenbush and Sha Michele began collaborating at Burning Man after meeting there in 2000. Kate is known for large-scale, allegorical works in laser-cut steel that form immersive, high-concept, experiential spaces for human connection. In her poems and art, Sha Michele draws on her African-American, Native American and European ancestry to address questions of heritage, cultural definitions, longing, and belonging.

Kate Raudenbush is an award-winning sculpture artist who emerged out of the creative vanguard of Burning Man to exhibit her work widely in the U.S. and internationally at art fairs, civic squares, arts festivals, galleries and museums. She has forged a creative path in Seoul, Amsterdam and Tulum, to Hollywood, Montreal and Washington, D.C.  Poet Sha Michele has storied experience as a former actress and designer in Los Angeles, working with Spike Lee, Jamie Foxx and Gita Salem, in addition to her talent as an internationally exhibited designer of exotic, nature-inspired, totemic jewelry.  Both artists incorporate a range of cultures, symbols and mythology in their work. They are thrilled to bring this thought-provoking, dynamic exhibit to the greater Richmond community.

Exhibit runs April 29 through October 29.

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden

1800 Lakeside Avenue
Richmond, Virginia 23228

(804) 262-9887