Projects
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The Word is Art
The Word is Art is a project encapsulating Petry's most recent publication, and a touring exhibition based on themes of the book. The work was published by Thames and Hudson in 2018, and explores the use of text and language in the contemporary arts. Paperback release spring 2021 An initial exhibition exploring this subject was held at Helsinki Contemporary in June of 2017. Download the PDF from the Helsinki Contemporary exhibition Introduction to the accompanying video series (1 of 10)
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A Twist in Time A one man show, installed throughout the historic rooms of Pallant House Museum, featuring glass sculptures created in direct response to the forms of the grand staircase. Pallant House Gallery, Chichester 2015/2016 Download the PDF |
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A.T. The Core of the Algorithm 47 glass globes hang in clusters from the ceiling of as Petry's homage to British mathematician Alan Turing. Up close, each “bubble” has a piece bitten out of it—the spherical shape is a reference to the cyanide-coated apple with which Turing is suspected to have taken his own life. Hiram Butler Gallery, Houston 2015 GLAZENHUIS, Lommel, Belgium 2014 |
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Libations A prolonged investigation into the contemporary aspects of the classical world of love and death. Petry explores mythic ritual through sculpture, installation and performance. The Fine Art Society 2016 Pallant House Gallery, Chichester 2016 Zane Bennett Contemporary Art, Santa Fe 2014 At the Palm Springs Art Museum, The Galen, Palm Dessert 2015 Related paintings at Melissa Morgan Gallery 2015 Alentejo Trienal, Portugal 2014 |
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Golden Rain 100 mirrored golden vessels are suspended from the centre of the tower. Each vessel, shaped like a raindrop or tear, is sealed at the top by a cork. Inside the vessels are 100 texts, images, drawings, photographs, objects or ideas sent to Petry by other artists and authors. They were asked to think about what they would write, draw or mark on a sheet of paper, if they too were locked in such a tower and had only a bottle as a means of discourse with the outside world. On permanent display at the Palm Springs Art Museum, California Download the PDF |
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Joshua D’s Wall A field of displaced glass orbs entitled Joshua D’s Wall, a work in which each stone can be sold separately and removed to a different context. Stones have been shown in Norway, Stockholm and Texas, and exist in collections the world over. The Fine Art Society 2016 Hiram Butler Gallery, Houston 2013 Zane Bennett Contemporary Art, Santa Fe 2012 |
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Sir John Soane's Museum Artist in Residence: Smoke & Mirrors Two exhibitions (Bad Seed, and Touching the Neoclassical and the Romantic) shown simultaneously within the Sir John Soane Museum reflecting on the contents and history of the building, as well as the legacy of Soane himself. Sir John Soane’s Museum London 2010 – 2011 |
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Got Wood Got Wood references a term used in gay and straight pornography - got wood is the term used for when the male performer is erect and ready to be filmed. Hiram Butler Gallery, Houston 2007 Westbrook Gallery, London 2007 |
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Treasure of Memory Michael Petry’s colossal necklace of thirty-two colorful blown glass beads, both humbles and empowers us as it brings us face to face with our limitations and powers. Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art, Winston-Salem, USA 2010 Art Museum of South Texas, Corpus Christi 2009 Glasswear, Museum of Arts and Design, New York 2009 Memorial Art Gallery of the University of Rochester 2009 Treasure of Memory in Glasswear, Toledo Museum of Art 2007 The Treasure of Memory, Devin Borden Hiram Butler Gallery, Houston 2006 Treasure of Memory, Ha Game Prestegard 2000 |