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Isabella Kirkland
THE SMALL MATTER, 1 May - 12 June 2021
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Isabella Kirkland: THE SMALL MATTER

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Overview
One painting of nudibranchs in different sizes next to another painting of phasmid egg cases on a white wall

Self-taught in the meticulous and time-consuming techniques developed by 17th century Dutch painters, Isabella Kirkland directs her technical proficiency and rarefied access to biological specimen collections and scientific experts towards illuminating the ecological instability inherent in the Anthropocene — and more specifically, the acute threat to Earth’s smallest creatures.

 

In the world of environmental activism and nature documentaries, much attention is given to the large, majestic animals facing habitat loss and extinction as a result of sea level rise, ocean warming and acidification, human encroachment and climate change. Kirkland instead turns her focus to the more minute organisms that tend to go unnoticed, but that make up the majority of the natural world. Though seemingly insignificant, the decline of any of these tiny creatures instigates a domino effect of ecological disruption and potential collapse.

 

A Bay-Area artist having her first solo exhibition at Hosfelt Gallery, Kirkland purposefully chooses archaic methods to convey an urgently topical message. Her mode of depiction is an adaptation of the still life genre and 19th century natural history illustration — traditions revered for their accurate depictions of flora and fauna before the advent of photography. Executed in the enduring technique of the Dutch masters, Kirkland’s paintings enable a form of physical preservation of species that may otherwise soon disappear forever.

 

Several works in the exhibition document some of the 5.5 million butterflies at the African Butterfly Research Institute (ABRI), an organization based in Kenya and run by a single individual. The collection is comprised of about 4.5 million pinned, labeled specimens in boxes, sorted by genus, species, and locality, with another million unpinned and frozen, so that the DNA can be analyzed. The fate of this priceless repository of lepidopteric heritage remains precarious, and a campaign is underway to fund their efforts to donate the collection to one or more institutions that can ensure its long-term preservation. More information about ABRI will be available at the gallery during the exhibition, and a portion of the proceeds of the sale of these paintings will be donated to ABRI.

 

Isabella Kirkland was born in Connecticut in 1954 and studied at the San Francisco Art Institute in the late 1970s. Her work is in major museum collections throughout the United States, including the Berkeley Art Museum (Berkeley, CA), San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Hammer Museum (Los Angeles), St. Louis Museum of Art, The Hood Museum of Art (Hanover, NH), Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts (Philadelphia), Yale University Art Gallery (New Haven, CT), Queens Museum (New York), Tang Museum (Saratoga Springs, NY), Toledo Art Museum (OH), Zimmerli Art Museum (New Brunswick, NJ), and the Whitney Museum of American Art (New York).

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Works
  • Several multicolored preserved butterflies in four shallow paper boxes.
    Isabella Kirkland
    Uraniids, 2020
    oil on wood panel
    16 x 20 in
    40.6 x 50.8 cm
  • Several variations of blue butterfly species preserved.
    Isabella Kirkland
    Kalima jacksoni, 2020
    oil on wood panel
    16 x 20 in
    40.6 x 50.8 cm
  • Long and skinny and brown Phasmid insect crawling on tree covered in lichen.
    Isabella Kirkland
    Walking Stick, Mpala, 2020
    oil on panel
    8 x 8 in
    20.3 x 20.3 cm
  • Clusters of several variations of orange butterflies preserved on white sheet.
    Isabella Kirkland
    Pseudacraea boisduvali, 2020
    oil on wood panel
    16 x 20 in
    40.6 x 50.8 cm
    Inquire
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  • Highly detailed and realistic oil painting on panel of multiple diverse types of phasmid or stick bug eggs which are magnified and painted proportionally against a black background
    Isabella Kirkland
    Phasmid Eggs, 2021
    oil on polyester over wood panel
    48 x 60 in
    121.9 x 152.4 cm
  • Sixteen varieties of Nudibranch egg cases, in different shapes, sizes, and colors on black background.
    Isabella Kirkland
    Nudibranchia, Egg Cases, 2014
    oil and alkyd on wood panel
    7 3/4 x 7 3/4 in
    19.7 x 19.7 cm
  • Several varieties of nudibranchs in different shapes, sizes, and colors on black background.
    Isabella Kirkland
    Nudibranchia, 2015
    oil and alkyd on polyester over wood panel
    48 x 60 in
    121.9 x 152.4 cm
  • Hanging vine surrounded with/by several species of flora and fauna typically found in the rainforest in Emergent level in front of humid rainforest.
    Isabella Kirkland
    Emergent, 2009
    oil on canvas over wood panel
    60 x 48 in
    152.4 x 121.9 cm
  • Seven preserved parrots with green heads and blue and red body feathers in shallow cardboard box. Each bird has paper ID tag on foot.
    Isabella Kirkland
    Paradise Parrots (extinct), 2015
    oil and alkyd on wood panel
    15 3/4 x 19 3/4 inches
    40 x 50.2 cm
  • Preserved yellow birds on their backs in shallow cardboard box. They have long curved bills and identification tags on their feet
    Isabella Kirkland
    Akialoa Hemingnathus, 2011
    oil on wood panel
    15 3/4 x 19 3/4 in
    40 x 50.2 cm
  • Several varieties of clovers in different shapes, sizes, patterns and colors.
    Isabella Kirkland
    123 Lucky Mutants, 2017
    oil, alkyd, and collage on polyester over wood panel
    48 x 60 inches
    121.9 x 152.4 cm
    Inquire
    %3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3EIsabella%20Kirkland%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3E123%20Lucky%20Mutants%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22comma%22%3E%2C%20%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E2017%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Eoil%3Cspan%20class%3D%22comma%22%3E%2C%20%3C/span%3Ealkyd%3Cspan%20class%3D%22comma%22%3E%2C%20%3C/span%3Eand%20collage%20on%20polyester%20over%20wood%20panel%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E48%20x%2060%20inches%3Cbr/%3E%0A121.9%20x%20152.4%20cm%3C/div%3E
  • Very light colored green, nearly white redwood sprout amongst brown tree debris.
    Isabella Kirkland
    Leucistic Redwood, 2019
    oil on panel
    8 x 8 in
    20.3 x 20.3 cm
  • Yellow, black, and white birds on their backs in shallow cardboard box with identification tags.
    Isabella Kirkland
    Extinct Warblers (vermivora bachman again), 2018
    oil on panel
    8 x 8 in
    20.3 x 20.3 cm
  • Black butterfly with blue lower wing with orange spots nestled in green leaves.
    Isabella Kirkland
    Super Green I: Pipevine swallowtail, 2020
    oil on panel
    24 x 18 in
    61 x 45.7 cm
    Inquire
    %3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3EIsabella%20Kirkland%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3ESuper%20Green%20I%3A%20Pipevine%20swallowtail%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22comma%22%3E%2C%20%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E2020%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Eoil%20on%20panel%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E24%20x%2018%20in%3Cbr/%3E%0A61%20x%2045.7%20cm%3C/div%3E
  • Brightly colored bird in blues and oranges drinking from pool in tree bark.
    Isabella Kirkland
    Well Studied, 2018
    oil on panel
    8 x 8 in
    20.3 x 20.3 cm
  • Blue nudibranch floating in shallow water.
    Isabella Kirkland
    Empty Aegean, 2016
    oil on panel
    8 x 8 in
    20.3 x 20.3 cm
  • Several species of edible insects crawling on branch, log, and in dead leaves.
    Isabella Kirkland
    Edible, 2021
    oil on polyester over wood panel
    30 x 40 in
    76.2 x 101.6 cm
  • Several variations of transparent butterfly species in shallow cardboard box.
    Isabella Kirkland
    Protogoniomorpha parhassus, 2020
    oil on wood panel
    16 x 20 in
    40.6 x 50.8 cm
    Inquire
    %3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3EIsabella%20Kirkland%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3EProtogoniomorpha%20parhassus%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22comma%22%3E%2C%20%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E2020%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Eoil%20on%20wood%20panel%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E16%20x%2020%20in%3Cbr/%3E%0A40.6%20x%2050.8%20cm%3C/div%3E
  • Several species of flora and fauna typically found in rainforest floor habitat depicted in said habitat with stream. Detail of black and white snake.
    Isabella Kirkland
    Nova: Forest Floor, 2007
    oil and alkyd on polyester over wood panel
    36 x 72 in
    91.4 x 182.9 cm
  • Several clusters of purple and light green lichens.
    Isabella Kirkland
    Graveyard Lichens I, 2017
    oil on panel
    8 x 8 in
    20.3 x 20.3 cm
  • Stone with floral carving and orange and green lichens.
    Isabella Kirkland
    Graveyard Lichens II, 2017
    oil on panel
    7 3/4 x 7 3/4 in
    19.7 x 19.7 cm
    Inquire
    %3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3EIsabella%20Kirkland%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3EGraveyard%20Lichens%20II%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22comma%22%3E%2C%20%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E2017%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Eoil%20on%20panel%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E7%203/4%20x%207%203/4%20in%3Cbr/%3E%0A19.7%20x%2019.7%20cm%3C/div%3E
  • Light green lichens on dark and light stone.
    Isabella Kirkland
    Graveyard Lichens III, 2018
    oil on panel
    8 x 8 in
    20.3 x 20.3 cm
  • Green and some maroon lichens.
    Isabella Kirkland
    Graveyard Lichens IV, 2018
    oil on panel
    8 x 8 in
    20.3 x 20.3 cm
  • Light green lichens on curved stones.
    Isabella Kirkland
    Graveyard Lichens V, 2018
    oil on panel
    8 x 8 in
    20.3 x 20.3 cm
  • Light colored stone with orange lichens and green sprouting plant.
    Isabella Kirkland
    Graveyard Lichens VI, 2018
    oil on panel
    8 x 8 in
    20.3 x 20.3 cm
  • Light colored granite stone with orange lichens.
    Isabella Kirkland
    Graveyard Lichens VII, 2019
    oil on panel
    8 x 8 in
    20.3 x 20.3 cm
  • Light colored stone covered in orange lichens with clusters of light green lichen.
    Isabella Kirkland
    Graveyard Lichens VIII, 2019
    oil on panel
    8 x 8 in
    20.3 x 20.3 cm
  • Brown stone with green lichen and one large round lichen in shadow.
    Isabella Kirkland
    Graveyard Lichens IX, 2019
    oil on panel
    8 x 8 in
    20.3 x 20.3 cm
  • Six round phasmid insect egg cases in different shapes and color on black background.
    Isabella Kirkland
    Phasmid Eggs II, 2021
    oil on panel
    12 x 12 in
    30.5 x 30.5 cm
  • Several varieties of butterfly species in shallow cardboard box. Some are blue, light blue and black, and black and tan. they're arranged in vertical columns.
    Isabella Kirkland
    Junonia sp., 2019
    oil on wood panel
    16 x 20 in
    40.6 x 50.8 cm
    Inquire
    %3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3EIsabella%20Kirkland%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3EJunonia%20sp.%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22comma%22%3E%2C%20%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E2019%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Eoil%20on%20wood%20panel%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E16%20x%2020%20in%3Cbr/%3E%0A40.6%20x%2050.8%20cm%3C/div%3E
  • Vertical rows of two varieties of one butterfly species. Half are grey, blue and red and half are orange and black.
    Isabella Kirkland
    Seasonal Dimorphism: Precis octavia, 2020
    oil on wood panel
    12 x 16 in
    30.5 x 40.6 cm
    Inquire
    %3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3EIsabella%20Kirkland%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3ESeasonal%20Dimorphism%3A%20Precis%20octavia%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22comma%22%3E%2C%20%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E2020%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Eoil%20on%20wood%20panel%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E12%20x%2016%20in%3Cbr/%3E%0A30.5%20x%2040.6%20cm%3C/div%3E
Installation Views
Open a larger version of the following image in a popup: One painting of nudibranchs in different sizes next to another painting of phasmid egg cases on a white wall
Open a larger version of the following image in a popup: One wall with painting depicting many species of bugs in and around a log with two paintings of bird specimens....
Open a larger version of the following image in a popup: whit wall with two paintings depicting bird specimens in drawers. Third painting depicts several bug species in and around log
Open a larger version of the following image in a popup: white wall with painting of several clover variations in different sizes and colors with grid of nine small paintings depicting...
Open a larger version of the following image in a popup: white wall with large painting depicting rainforest canopy and species in habitat, next to six small paintings of plant and...
Open a larger version of the following image in a popup: left wall with painting of animals and plants in jungle habitat next to right wall with five paintings of different...
Open a larger version of the following image in a popup: five paintings of different butterfly species on white wall
Press
  • Isabella Kirkland, "Nudibranchia," 2015, oil and alkyd on polyester over wood panel, 48 x 60 inches

    The Nature Conundrum

    David M. Roth, Squarecylinder, June 2, 2021
  • Isabella Kirkland, "Paradise Parrots (extinct)," 2015, oil and alkyd on wood panel, 15 3/4 x 19 3/4 inches

    Renny Pritikin on Isabella Kirkland @ Hosfelt

    Renny Pritikin, Squarecylinder, May 10, 2021
Events
  • Painting depicting jungle habitat with many species

    Gallery Conversation: Isabella Kirkland & Ryan Phelan

    13 May 2021
  • Isabella Kirkland and Lauren Esposito flank table covered with four wooden boxes displaying dead insect specimens.

    Gallery Conversation: Isabella Kirkland & Lauren Esposito

    20 May 2021
  • Painting of log in dried leaves covered in different bug species

    Gallery Conversation: Isabella Kirkland & Dr. Brian L. Fisher

    27 May 2021
  • on the left, Greg Niemeyer in a grey collared shirt. on the right, Isabella Kirkland stands in front of a painting of a seaside scene.

    In Conversation: Isabella Kirkland & Greg Niemeyer

    2 Jun 2021
News
  • HG Magazine Issue no. 30

    HG Magazine Issue no. 30

    Celebrating William T. Wiley; plus African Butterfly Research Institute, THE SMALL MATTER exhibition review, bug brownie recipe May 18, 2021
    Celebrating the life of William T. Wiley (1937-2021) African Butterfly Research Institute Renny Pritikin reviews Isabella Kirkland's THE SMALL MATTER in SquareCylinder In the Shop:...
    Read more
  • HG Magazine Issue no. 29

    HG Magazine Issue no. 29

    Isabella Kirkland: THE SMALL MATTER & Patricia Piccinini: The Awakening open; plus Rina Banerjee on 8-Bridges, Cornelius Völker, biscuit recipe April 29, 2021
    Opening May 1: Isabella Kirkland: THE SMALL MATTER & Patricia Piccinini: The Awakening Rina Banerjee on 8-Bridges Art @ Home New to Inventory: Cornelius Völker...
    Read more
  • HG Magazine Issue no. 28

    HG Magazine Issue no. 28

    Studio Visit with Birgit Jensen; plus Liliana Porter, Ben McLaughlin, Isabella Kirkland, Patricia Piccinini, Cornelius Völker April 16, 2021
    Closing soon - Liliana Porter: The Riddle / Charada & Ben McLaughlin: Ex Libris Upcoming at the Gallery - Isabella Kirkland: THE SMALL MATTER &...
    Read more

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    Isabella Kirkland

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