Energy cannot be destroyed, only given a new form. Being reborn.

In this exhibition, titled Origins, Morgan Binkerd displays the culmination of energy, how it transforms, and how energy pairs with the idea of regeneration. Origins refers to the beginning. Binkerd is exhibiting early works, pieces that are direct and absolute in their images and themes. Just as energy has always existed, Binkerd's visual rhetoric has always existed, but her technique has developed to match.

When viewing this show, the audience will notice how Morgan's newer works have a heavy use of impasto on the canvas. This has become a recurring visual motif in her work. Origins also refers to the transformative nature of the word. Binkerd often used the words regenerative and transformative while describing this collection.

When working, Binkerd creates on top of older works, giving life to old paintings. This is a long process, building layer upon layer with the building and removal of paint, creating complex surfaces. As mentioned earlier, this is very prominent in her newer works.

The pieces are having dialogue with her newer works, and vice versa, similar to poetry writing.

When talking with Morgan and knowing her personally, poetry is a way for her to explore her thoughts and work. Writing is a practice for creation and internal peace, exploring the subconscious and the chaos that comes from it. Paintings are doing this in a way, too, but writing is a more analytical form, while painting is a more free-form version.

Lines and words from writings are used for titles—a title isn't needed to engage with the work, but it speaks to the connection between the two and how the paintings create a dialogue together. Morgan, not always aware of what is being painted until a title or a life settles, uses language as a tool to understand where her work is heading. She uses this language as a decision-making tool, bringing out the subconscious.

While not directly focusing on where we come from, Binkerd cannot help but embrace the ideas that come with exploring mortality, particularly the cycles and dichotomies that come from this exploration. For much of the work in this show, she explores decay/life, joy/grief, lamentation, and the complexities that come from nature and the transfer of energy from that comes from the process of rejuvenation and creation.

Origins is on exhibit in the Speck Gallery through November during Gallery Hours: Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. The works can additionally be viewed and purchased on our online gallery.