What Came First

March 8 – April 20, 2024

Abstract textile work by Erin E. Castellan

Erin E. Castellan

Like a Bull in a China Shop, 2022

Hand-embroidery, acrylic paint on canvas

28h x 22w in
71.12h x 55.88w cm

EC_019

Fabric wall hanging by Rachel Meginnes

Rachel Meginnes

History Repeating, 2019

Deconstructed quilt, hand stitching, image transfer, acrylic, and spray paint

80h x 64w in
203.20h x 162.56w cm

Unique

RM_031

Old fashioned photographic portrait with hand embellishments, by Kirsten Stolle

Kirsten Stolle

Mrs. John Pettigrew 1860/2014
from the series de-identified, 2014

ink and collage on 19th century engraving

7 1/2h x 5w in
19.05h x 12.70w cm

KS_014

Old fashioned photographic portrait with hand embellishments, by Kirsten Stolle

Kirsten Stolle

Miss Camelia Hall 1860/2015
from the series de-identified, 2015

gouache and collage on 19th century engraving

7 1/2h x 5w in
19.05h x 12.70w cm

KS_019

Old fashioned photographic portrait with hand embellishments, by Kirsten Stolle

Kirsten Stolle

Mrs. William Hawthorne 1860/2015
from the series de-identified, 2015

gouache, graphite collage on 19th century engraving

7 1/2h x 5w in
19.05h x 12.70w cm

KS_015

Abstract geometric artwork by Randy Shull

Randy Shull

Oaxaca Ghost, 2019

acrylic on panel

25h x 21w in
63.50h x 53.34w cm

unnique

RS_023

Lenticular fabric sculpture of a pair of socks

Brandon Boan

Now For Good, 2016/2023

Lenticular fabric, nylon, acrylic

Overall dimensions:
53h x 20w x 5d inches

BB_001

Abstract painting by artist Zander Stefani

Zander Stefani

I’m lost at sea, leave me be, 2024

Acrylic, charcoal, colored pencil on wood panel.

14h x 11w in
35.56h x 27.94w cm

ZS_01014

Abstract yellow and textured photographic print

Bryan Graf

Ridge (Tropical Haze), 2019

Chromogenic Print

42h x 32w in
106.68h x 81.28w cm

Out of 5

BG029

Hand embroidered large tapestry with nudes

Orly Cogan

Bloom, 2018

Hand stitched embroidery, appliqué and paint on vintage print fabric

61h x 49w in
154.94h x 124.46w cm

OC014

Painting of a breast with a red flower petal covering the nipple

Carly Owens Weiss

Red Bud, 2023

Oil on canvas

12h x 9w in
30.48h x 22.86w cm

CW_001

Photograph of other cut photographs pierced and bent on a spindle.

James Henkel

A History of Photography, 2024

Archival pigment print

22h x 17w in
55.88h x 43.18w cm

Edition of 5

JHe_094

Photograph of other cut photographs pierced and bent on a spindle.

James Henkel

Stars, 2023

Archival pigment print

22h x 17w in
55.88h x 43.18w cm

Edition of 5

JHe_093

Abstract black and white image by Ben Nixon

Ben Nixon

Peaceful Steps, 2017

unique silver gelatin photogram

4h x 5w in
10.16h x 12.70w cm

Framed: 17h x 14w in
43.18h x 35.56w cm

BN020

Abstract artwork by Ben Nixon

Ben Nixon

Untitled, 2023

Acrylic, watercolor, pencil

10h x 8w in
25.40h x 20.32w cm

Framed: 18h x 15w in
45.72h x 38.10w cm

BN068

Rag rug, by Erika Diamond

Erika Diamond

Queer Rag Rug 2
(from the Imminent Peril Home Goods Collection), 2023

Handwoven; Kevlar thread (warp), deconstructed queer-worn clothing from my Asheville-based queer community (weft)

36h x 54w in
91.44h x 137.16w cm

Unique

ED_00

Abstract artwork by Luke Whitlatch

Luke Whitlatch

Bein' Alone is All These Hills Know How to Do, 2024

Dye, acrylic and oil on canvas

18 1/2h x 24w in
46.99h x 60.96w cm

LW018

Etched glass photographic sculpture by Eric William Carroll

Eric William Carroll

Starfield NA8482 (July 10th, 1994), 2024

Laser-etched glass, cyanotype on glass, painted wood

14h x 11w x 1 1/2d in
35.56h x 27.94w x 3.81d cm

EWC_002

soft sculpture with hand embroidery of piece of toast with egg

Carly Owens Weiss

The Bearer, 2023

hand embroidered soft sculpture

9h x 7 1/2w x 2d in
22.86h x 19.05w x 5.08d cm

CW_002

Vase shaped ceramic sculpture by Laura Letinksy

Laura Letinsky

Untitled 013 (Leaning to be Straight)
from the series Preparing for Flowers, 2020

Porcelain; Glaze, white matte; grey elephant

18 1/10h x 5 3/10w x 5 3/10d in
45.97h x 13.46w x 13.46d cm

LL_082

Photographic collage image with clouds and sky

Sandi Haber Fifield

LS17_184, 2017

Unique Archival Pigment Prints; Graphite; Wax Pastel; Vellum; T-pins

16 1/2h x 20 1/2w in
41.91h x 52.07w cm

Framed: 18 3/4h x 20 3/8w in
47.63h x 51.75w cm

Unique

SHF_003

Abstract cut paper work by Nicholas Hall

Nicholas Hall

Untitled (Glacier), 2013

Dimensional Paper Cut-Out

10h x 19 3/4w in
25.40h x 50.17w cm

NH_002

Large painting of dilapidated billboard with crying female face

Margaret Curtis

Collapse, 2022

Oil an ash on panel

60h x 60w in
152.40h x 152.40w cm

MC_074

Installation view of photographic sculpture by Philiip Maisel

Phillip Maisel

Parabolic Structures, 2022/2024

Archival pigment prints, silver gelatin prints, photocopy, wax pastel, colored paper, watercolor, acrylic paint on panel

111h x 21w x 2d in
281.94h x 53.34w x 5.08d cm

PM_001

Detail of Phillip Maisel, Parabolic Structures

Phillip Maisel

Parabolic Structures, 2022/2024 (detail)

Abstract large, colorful vinyl and fabric hanging wall piece by David B. Smith

David B. Smith

Magic Mirror, 2024

Artist-designed fabric, vinyl, metal hardware

122h x 72w in
309.88h x 182.88w cm

DS_001

Colorful abstract mixed media work by David B. Smith

David B. Smith

Gold and Peach Forest with Lemons, 2021

Artist-designed, purchased and found fabrics, wood stretcher, thread

18h x 16w x 1d in
45.72h x 40.64w x 2.54d cm

DS_003

Abstract colorful textile work by David B. Smith

David B. Smith

Gold and Lavender Forest, 2021

Artist-designed, purchased and found fabrics, wood stretcher, thread

20h x 20w in
50.80h x 50.80w cm

DS_002

Installation view of group exhibition "What Came First" at Tracey Morgan Gallery
Installation view of group exhibition "What Came First" at Tracey Morgan Gallery
Installation view of group exhibition "What Came First" at Tracey Morgan Gallery
Installation view of group exhibition "What Came First" at Tracey Morgan Gallery
Installation view of group exhibition "What Came First" at Tracey Morgan Gallery
Installation view of group exhibition "What Came First" at Tracey Morgan Gallery
Installation view of group exhibition "What Came First" at Tracey Morgan Gallery
Installation view of group exhibition "What Came First" at Tracey Morgan Gallery
Installation view of group exhibition "What Came First" at Tracey Morgan Gallery

Press Release

Tracey Morgan Gallery is pleased to present What Came First, the inaugural exhibition in our new gallery space at 22 London Rd, opening March 8th, 2024. Including work in a variety of media from our roster of represented artists, we are delighted to also include work from several artists showing with us for the first time. An opening reception will be held Friday March 8 from 6-8PM.

The exhibition will include work by: Brandon Boan, Eric William Carroll, Erin E. Castellan, Orly Cogan, Margaret Curtis, Erika Diamond, Bryan Graf, Sandi Haber Fifield, James Henkel, Laura Letinsky, Phillip Maisel, Rachel Meginnes, Ben Nixon, Randy Shull, David B. Smith, Zander Stefani, Kirsten Stolle, Carly Owens Weiss, & Luke Whitlatch.

The show is centered around the idea of “layers,” both materially and conceptually. The title – a nod to the exhibitions’s premise and to this new iteration of our gallery’s  program – also references the process of art making itself, as each artist must choose a starting point. Media will include photography, collage, textile, ceramics, and painting, demonstrating an array of techniques – layering paint with everyday objects, adding hand interventions on appropriated imagery, meticulously hand embroidering beads into soft sculpture, & sewing clothing using lenticular fabric.

Sandi Haber Fifield incorporates photography, collage, and hand made elements in her work, exposing the act of perception itself, while images of the natural world serve as grounding points, as seen in the work included here from the series Lineations. Star Field (2020) is from Eric William Carroll’s series Standard Stars which examines a photographic archive of the Universe and its decay as a result of human error. Drawn from the Astronomical Photographic Data Archive, the images document the history of photographing the sky from the late 1800’s until the end of the 20th century on a now obsolete medium—glass plate negatives.  

Along with these material interpretations of the theme of layers, works which reveal “what lies beneath” push the exhibition conceptually. Margaret Curtis’ work looks at decaying archetypes; her painting Collapse (2022) shows a dilapidated billboard of the post-war feminine ideal, portrayed as the Lichtenstein-esque comic book heroin, perhaps exposing the façade of perfection. Carly Owens Weiss’ piece The Bearer (2023) is a hand-embroidered soft sculpture of a piece of toast with an egg. It serves as a humorous interpretation of the shows title, while exploring more complex ideas of the dualities present within food, which can be nurturing or destructive, pleasant or disgusting, and quickly transform from savory to rot.