Christa Blatchford waiting for my ship to come in April 2 – May 1, 2004  The William-Scott Gallery is proud to present the premiere solo exhibition by multi-media artist Christa Blatchford. waiting for my ship to come in features a large-scale installation including sculptural, sound, and video elements, as well as a collection of small, collaged digital prints. The exhibition is structured around themes borrowed from New England’s maritime history, and in particular, the whaling industry. Please join us for an opening reception on Friday, April 2, from 5:30 – 7:30pm.

Christa Blatchford Landlocked

New York-based artist Blatchford creates large experiential, interactive spaces, which are then broken up into more intimate experiences for the viewer. Within these installations, she evokes a state of suspension by placing the viewer in the gap between real and imagined spaces. Inspired by New England’s whaling history, waiting for my ship to come in explores the concept of the ocean as the great unknown. Historically, sailors ventured out into the vast abyss, leaving loved ones behind. Blatchford is specifically interested in the wives who were left behind, and the state of suspension in which these women were left when their husbands went to sea. Through her interpretation of this state of uncertainty, the artist creates rich metaphors for our own modern society. Blatchford’s digital prints combine manipulated landscape and seascape photographs collaged with video stills. These stills are derived from her video work, which revolves around the use of her own body. These pieces are not meant to be interpreted as personal experiences—instead Blatchford uses her body to articulate a more universal experience. The sculptural elements of the installation include an actual rowboat and spyglass.   Blatchford’s work has been included in exhibitions at several venues in New England, such as the Gallery at Green Street, and Gallery FX, both in Boston, MA, the Cambridge Art Association in Cambridge, MA, the Brickbottom Gallery in Somerville, MA, and the Zikha Gallery at Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT. Blatchford is currently an M.F.A. candidate at Hunter College in New York City. She received a B.F. A. from Wesleyan University, and also studied art at Rhode Island School of Design, Massachusetts College of Art, and the School for International Training in Bali, Indonesia. She was recently awarded the William Graf Travel Abroad Scholarship.   The William-Scott Galley is located in the heart of the SOWA gallery district at 450 Harrison Avenue at the corner of Thayer Street, on the third floor, suite #318. Gallery hours are Wednesday though Saturday, 10:30 to 5:30. Accessible by public transportation via the Orange Line New England Medical Center and Back Bay stations, the Red Line’s Broadway station, and the new Silver Line bus. There is also ample parking available. Visit our website www.williamscottgallery.com for driving directions. All exhibitions and receptions are free and open to the public, and fully wheelchair accessible. For more information please call (617) 542-4030. Digital images available for publication upon request.