Author:

the space within / the space between

the space within / the space between

March 21st – April 12th, 2025
934 Gallery
Columbus, OH

“the space within / the space between” is a solo exhibition featuring work by Elizabeth Tolson that explores the themes of time, fertility, motherhood, and world-building through ceramics and fibers. Tolson’s work is an exploration of the experiences of creation and growth, both in the biological and existential sense. Her pieces feature bodily forms and intricate textures crafted from ceramics, evoking the essence of fertility and the passage of time. These elements serve as metaphors for life’s cycles, capturing the balance between fragility and resilience. Interwoven with these ceramic forms are fibers that share narratives of motherhood and nurturing, where their softness and connection reflect the strength and vulnerability in the maternal experience. Through this integration of ceramics and fibers, Tolson invites viewers to reflect on the interconnected spaces we inhabit, both within ourselves and between each other.
the weight of the womb
the weight of the womb
Weight of the Womb,
stoneware, hand dyed cotton and silk yarn,
41in x 47in x 2in, 2025

 

Embodied Cosmos

Embodied Cosmos

May 4th – July 14th, 2024

Lakeview Gallery
Appalachian Center for Craft
Tennessee Tech University
Smithville, TN

Two Person Show with Kathie Halfin and Elizabeth Tolson
Co-curated by Kathie Halfin and Elizabeth Tolson

 

In “Embodied Cosmos”, Kathie Halfin and Elizabeth Tolson delve into the intricate world of weaving, exploring its parallels with thriving and care in the realm of plants and motherhood. Through this journey, they highlight how weaving, an act of intertwining threads, mirrors the delicate interdependence between nature and nurture. By juxtaposing the nurturing process of weaving with the nurturing/tending  role of caregivers, they illuminate the shared essence of growth, support, and sustenance. 


This exhibit unites the delicate beauty of flowers with the intricate complexity of the female identifying body, both celebrating nature’s resilience and strength of the life-bearing form. Through innovative artistry, Halfin creates paper weaving techniques, intertwining floral imagery with the contours of the human form. Tolson’s ceramic looms, uniquely constructed, symbolize the nurturing essence of motherhood, weaving stories of growth and connection. 


Through these captivating works, visitors will journey through the floral and human landscapes, peering into the orifices that reveal an interchange between the inner and outer worlds. The intricacy of the sensory exchange, cyclical nature and sacred geometry will be explored through artistic interpretations of the womb, a space that epitomizes creation and nurtures life. The artistry of paper weaving and ceramic looms will breathe life into this narrative, portraying the delicate interplay between vulnerability and strength, intimacy and vastness.


By highlighting the process of nurture in relation to humans and plants, Tolson’s and Halfin’s works raise vital questions. They ask: how to amplify “democracy of species” through the concepts of mothering and care and within the contemporary connection to the ancient forms of craft? What is the healing function of objects? How the act of caring that is inherent to motherhood extends to a sense of mothering the entire world?  

In the Echoes

In the Echoes

May 11 – July 22, 2024

Corner Gallery
Brooklyn Made Store Industry City
Brooklyn, New York

Curated by: Elizabeth Tolson

Featuring work by:

An echo is a place in time when a thought can be repeated or developed.
An echo is a moment to catch yourself.
An echo is the space after or the space before.
An echo can feel empty but full with repetition.
A mother’s work is done in an echo.
A moment of rest is an echo.
A mother’s thoughts are made in an echo.
An echo is repetition, it is an unseen movement of labor moving through time.

“In the Echoes” delves into the nuanced experiences of mothers, capturing the echoes of their lives; the fleeting moments, the reflections, the pauses, and the relentless rhythms of nurturing amidst the chaos. Some pieces tenderly portray maternal bonds, while others reveal the arduous labor behind their creation, symbolizing the multifaceted nature of mothering and the artistic process alike. Throughout history there is a common thread that brings artist caregivers together and that is the balance of time to make work and to take care of children. Just as an artist shapes raw materials into a finished piece, a mother molds and nurtures the lives of her children, often behind the scenes and without recognition. This exhibition celebrates that unseen dedication, highlighting the intersection of creativity and caregiving, and honoring the resilience, strength, and beauty inherent in both roles.

“In the Echoes” features the work of 10 mother artists who all have ties to Brooklyn. Their work brings together a diverse range of stories about experiences with fertility, labor, and caregiving.

In the works of Colleen Ho and Lauren Skelly Bailey, the repeated motions of delicate and intricate labor are present. Often, the thought of such meticulous effort remains unseen, but here it is noticeably visible. The process becomes an expected, meditative action, persisting until the form reaches completion. Despite using contrasting materials, Ho’s soft, delicate paper and Bailey’s hard, yet equally fragile ceramics, both artists achieve a harmonious delicacy.

Reflecting the themes of meditation and repetition, these concepts are embodied in the work of Frïd Branham. Her pieces encapsulate the essence of daily life and the movements inherent within it, transforming routine activities into monumental moments. Similarly, Zoë Frederick captures significant moments of daily life in her quilts, one being the preparation for childbirth while the other displays early moments with her infant.These works highlight the repetitive, often unseen labor of nurturing. Meanwhile, Elissa Medina presents a playful perspective on everyday elements in her ceramic pieces which embody the delightful chaos of daily life.

The figurative paintings of Mary Younkin and Maria Yolanda Liebana depict two distinct aspects of a journey: the power of the body and the role of the caregiver. Both artists use vibrant colors to convey their narratives. Younkin’s work illustrates the delicate balance between motherhood and career, while Liebana’s paintings celebrate the strength and resilience of the body. In a different expression, Kathie Halfin’s tapestries, rich with symbolic meaning, also reflect the repetitive labor involved in their creation, highlighting the devotion and meticulous effort in both art and motherhood.

Gestures of care are captured in the works of Luiza Kurzyna and Loretta Lomanto, with the motif of the hand featured throughout. The hand, a universal symbol of creation and care, anchors both artists’ pieces. In Kurzyna’s work, the gestures illustrate acts of holding and giving, embodying the nurturing aspects of caregiving. Lomanto’s pieces, use the repetitive imagery of the hand and arm to convey a sense of urgency and relentless effort. Together, their works explore the language of touch and the impact of these simple, yet powerful, gestures of care and connection.

“In the Echoes” brings to life the intricate and often unseen stories of motherhood and caregiving. Each piece in the exhibition offers a unique perspective on the themes of fertility, labor, and the delicate balance between artistic creation and nurturing. The artists’ diverse use of materials and vibrant expressions highlight the repetitive, meditative nature of caregiving and the dedication it entails. From the tender depictions of maternal bonds to the powerful representations of the body’s strength and resilience, the exhibition captures the essence of caregiving in its many forms.

Two Moons

Two Moons
2021, Cotton Yarn and Fabric Dye

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