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Monday, January 06, 2025 - 9:00 AM
to Monday, January 27, 2025 - 5:00 PM
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CambridgeSeven debuts new space in Charles Square and Commemorates 25th Anniversary of one of its Founders, Paul Dietrich
GLORY – A Satirical Retrospective of Fabric Collages. GLORY is a new exhibition by celebrated artist and cultural visionary Clara Wainwright. Known for her pioneering work in public art and community engagement, Wainwright has long embraced creativity as a tool for social commentary and connection. In GLORY, she brings her signature humor and sharp wit to a new series of fabric collages that offer a satirical exploration of Donald Trump’s political ascent and enduring influence.
An influential figure in the Boston arts community, Wainwright has been recognized not only as an artist, but also as a cultural leader, having organized public works like First Night Boston and countless community quilt projects. Her ability to unite art with civic engagement has left a lasting mark on Boston’s cultural landscape. GLORY continues this legacy, with Wainwright’s use of humor to address complex themes of power, influence, and identity.
Exhibition Highlights:
Originally sparked in 2016 with her series Tweets from a Strange Muse, Wainwright’s work imagines Trump’s ambitions and visions—capturing, in fabric, his friendship with global leaders, visions of power, and mythic status among followers. As Trump’s influence has grown, so too has Wainwright’s reflection on his impact. Through pieces such as The Failed Lasso of the Trojan Rocker and Cowboy Carter, GLORY uses satire to spark laughter, provoke thought, and reflect on the unsettling implications of Trump’s political role.
About Clara Wainwright:
A visionary artist, Clara Wainwright’s career spans community-based public art, textile artistry, and unforgettable cultural celebrations. Her journey into quilt making began when her newborn son Dedalus was gifted a remarkable 19th-century crazy quilt. Inspired by this gift, she created her first quilts as pillow covers, drawing on the bold and colorful styles of Matisse, Klee, Modigliani, and Picasso. As her passion grew, she expanded her workspace to a 2,000-square-foot studio, where her small creations evolved into large-scale quilts.
For over 30 years, Wainwright has worked with more than 50 community groups, facilitating collaborative quilts that explore and celebrate diverse stories and experiences. These quilts now hang in schools, hospitals, hospices, community centers, and churches across Greater Boston, Somerville, Cambridge, Danvers, and Gloucester. Her role as a cultural visionary extends beyond quilting; Wainwright has been the creative force behind iconic public events, including The Great Boston Kite Festival, First Night Boston, The Boston Street Olympics, and The Faith Quilts Project.
Her artistic impact has been showcased in major solo exhibitions, starting with the Addison Gallery at Phillips Academy in Andover (1976), followed by a significant retrospective at the DeCordova Museum (2002) and another at the Cape Ann Museum (2010). Wainwright has also designed costumes for three operas and created pop-up stores, such as The Christmas Store and The Antique Store of the 21st Century, embodying her creative spontaneity and entrepreneurial spirit. Her work is held in the collections of prestigious institutions, including the Museum of Fine Arts, the DeCordova Museum, the Addison Gallery, the Cape Ann Museum, Mass General Hospital, and Fidelity.
About the Paul Dietrich Gallery:
Founded in 1999 by CambridgeSeven partner Paul Dietrich, the Paul Dietrich Gallery celebrates collaboration across design disciplines. Located in CambridgeSeven’s offices, the gallery showcases quarterly exhibitions featuring local artists and the work of current and former employees, offering diverse perspectives on art, architecture, and design. Open to the public Monday through Friday, 9am-5pm, the gallery invites visitors to be inspired by the creative talents of its artist community.
https://www.cambridgeseven.com/about/dietrich-gallery/
About CambridgeSeven:
Architecture and Design firm CambridgeSeven was formed by seven visionaries focused on doing what’s right not only for clients, but for public spaces. From the precedent-setting design of the New England Aquarium on Boston’s waterfront in 1969, to the revitalization of New Orleans’ World Trade Center into a world-class luxury hotel and visitor experience in 2022, CambridgeSeven’s fresh, thoughtful, design solutions transform communities through shared discovery and purposeful architecture. Celebrating its rich legacy over six decades of designing museums, aquariums, hotels, academic and civic spaces across the globe, CambridgeSeven is committed to designing culturally relevant, equitable and sustainable environments for all. https://www.cambridgeseven.com/
