When you walk into the Mint Museum in Charlotte you are greeted by Summer Wheat’s Foragers, a four story “stained glass” art piece that spans 96 windows of the open space. This vibrant art piece mimics the appearance of stained glass and you can make out the streets of Charlotte through the bright colors. At first glance the window panes depict abstract female bodies. Their bodies are elongated and their features are accentuated. The women are black, blue, pink, red, and yellow. Some have triangle-like features and others have circular features. Among the geometric women are bright colored birds, bees, wheat, and flowers. Each image is simple and colorful. The figures fit perfectly together; the head of one woman blends into the body of the next. Each image works together to create one cohesive view. The art appears to be simple, but upon further inspection you notice all of the hidden details. The light from the outside shines through, causing the floor to reflect the bright colors in the art. This beautiful piece shares a powerful message that is impossible to ignore as you enter the museum.
The artist’s goal is to highlight women’s importance in society, by allowing women to take up space and placing them at the forefront of the museum. In every aspect of society women and their accomplishments are pushed to the sidelines. However, this painting forces the viewer to revel in the power and beauty the female body possesses. Additionally, the artist hopes to physically include the viewer in the art piece. The light shining through the Foragers hits the floor, the wall, and the viewer. Feeling the warmth of the sun and seeing the bright colors on your skin draws your body into the piece. The artist wants to emphasize how each individual viewer has a different impact on the piece, as the light hits each person differently depending on their size, proximity to the window, and the time of day. You become a part of the art, demonstrating your significance in the bigger picture. This piece works to empower women’s place in society and uplift the viewer of the piece, including them in this vision.
Furthermore, the location of the Foragers plays a big role in fulfilling the artist’s goal. Foragers is situated at the entrance to the museum. I noticed it while standing in line to purchase my ticket, even before officially entering the museum. The art piece can be seen from every floor of the Mint. As you ascend up the escalators you can still view the windows. As you walk from one exhibit to another the windows are included as a part of your journey. I found myself noticing more details in the Foragers as I changed floors, because I was able to see up close the details of specific window panes. The Foragers is essential to the Mint Museum in the same way women are vital to society and their contributions must be acknowledged.
Another unique aspect of the art piece that contributes to its success is its transparency. The city of Charlotte can be made out through the bright colors. The Foragers forces the viewer to consider the relevance of the artist’s message by inviting the real world into the museum through these windows. The art piece literally allows the viewer to see Charlotte through a different light. The Foragers highlights the importance of women in society and encourages the viewer to consider how art can change their perspective outside of the museum.
Bibliography
Wheat, Summer. Foragers. 2020. Mint Museum, Charlotte.