Climbing Rosebush

2005

archival paper, ph balanced glue, acrylic paint and wire

dimensions variable

Valerie Hegarty’s work evokes a feeling of uneasiness. The seemingly deteri-

orating subject, at first glance, encourages the viewer to take a closer look

and realize it is all manufactured by the artist’s hand. The imagery is drawn

from historical European and American artworks and architecture, which she

was surrounded by during her youth. Hegarty focuses on issues related to

memory, place, and history by creating painting, sculpture and installation

work discussing the dark history of colonization. Specifically, the artist

reflects on the damage that colonizers have done through her method of

“reverse archeology”. These concepts are part of why I was drawn to her

work, Climbing Rosebush.

Though her work focuses on archeology, the decay that Hegarty is depicting

immediately stood out as bodily. I believe this work is also an allusion to the

body as a vessel that heals and decays, while also symbolizing it’s ability to

regrow after bleak moments in life. The wall appears to remain intact, yet

the roses are breaking through it, emerging out from this pristine white wall,

an “act” I cannot help but be in awe about.

In her work Hegarty creates a historical narrative by meticulously fabricating

objects or creating detailed paintings. She tells the story of our past, either

by depicting a version of the narrative, or through reflecting on the process of

the aging body. Hegarty documents these objects, then deconstructs them,

building them back up and reconfiguring them to create a new history.

-Ari Papai

Valerie Hegarty is an American artist that works with sculptural artworks and

paintings. Her 2005 piece, Climbing Rosebush, is made from acrylic paint,

wire, glue and paper. This piece depicts life size roses physically emerging

from the wall and coming toward the viewer. The delicate nature of the paper

flowers contrasts with the more sterile environment of the white wall.

Through her installation work and paintings, Hegarty demonstrates a distinct

kind of beauty. I admire her attention to detail and how she gives every small

element purpose within a larger composition. When I first saw Climbing

Rosebush, I was shocked. Seeing a rose bush appearing to slowly crack

through the wall contrasting with the formal architecture at the Campus One

building surprised me. Throughout her work, Hegarty has mastered this

element of shock, in other pieces this is evident through her depiction of a

combination of decay and fantasy. Hegarty’s work transports me into a magi-

cal melting world and I don't want to leave. In Climbing Rosebush, decay

slowly takes over, while the rose remains a sign of hope, creating a unified

artwork that also brings back childhood memories and a longing for a happier

past.

-Chloe Newcomer