SPEAK NEARBY

In "Speak Nearby," Nicolei Buendia Gupit’s and Kristy Hughes’s works are exhibited alongside one another across space and time, presenting deeply personal works. Both artists are guided by the concept of "speaking nearby," initially theorized by Vietnamese filmmaker, theorist, and Professor Trinh T. Minh-ha. This approach involves refraining from assuming authority over others' experiences and instead creating a space for diverse narratives to emerge. By speaking nearby, artists intentionally suspend predefined meanings, allowing individuals to fill that space with their unique experiences and intentions.

Gupit and Hughes not only express their own perspectives but also amplify the voices of others—known and unknown—who have struggled to do so for themselves. Grounding their art in personal experiences, they offer a platform for visitors to engage with and interpret each work in a way that resonates with their own significance, experiences, or personal history. Each piece becomes a conduit for self-reflection, inviting visitors to imbue the works of art with their own meaning and connections.

Gupit’s handmade paper pieces and multidisciplinary works delve into her cultural and ethnic identity as a Filipina American. By incorporating photographs of her grandparents, she visually interweaves her family’s history with a broader history of the Philippines that remains largely overlooked and untold. Her relief and sculptural works, crafted from paper clay casts, showcase portable and familiar everyday objects—such as passports, coins, books, and documents—offering a tangible exploration of personal and collective narratives. These objects serve as conduits for understanding the dual quest for belonging and the desire to preserve a sense of home. As a whole, Gupit’s art practice highlights the simultaneous personal and universal yearning for connection, providing a visual lens through which viewers can contemplate the intricate interplay between individual identity and the broader human experience.

Hughes' sculptures feature playful forms and vibrant colors, boldly occupying spaces that many may feel restricted in within a patriarchal society. Infused with humor and playfulness, her works incorporate personal elements that evoke small moments or memories, such as a favorite striped shirt, iconic zebra print, and embedded rocks or quotes that have inspired the art. Furthermore, Hughes directly explores the concepts of portals, using them as symbols for potential transformation and change. Her work unabashedly embraces the idea of taking up space, challenging societal norms and offering a visual celebration of self-expression. Through a combination of personal details and universal symbols, Hughes' sculptures invite viewers to reflect on the power of individual narratives and the potential for positive change within societal structures.

"Speak Nearby" provides both emotional and intellectual delight, drawing viewers in and prompting them to interact with familiar objects, concepts, and ideas through different lenses. Simultaneously, it encourages contemplation of potential futures and histories within the spaces the artists have crafted, urging everyone to engage by speaking nearby rather than about. Gupit and Hughes confront the realities of everyday life, celebrating the significance of small, seemingly overlooked elements that hide in plain sight/site. Their work invites viewers to reflect on their connection with the (un)known and encourages a continual dialogue, prompting individuals to consistently speak nearby and share their perspectives.

Written by Sarah Richter