“We Are All Weeds” exhibition blends nature and mythology

Over the years the Eide/Dalrymple Gallery has seen many faces and forms of art. Usually, exhibits consist of canvases and traditional mediums to convey compelling stories. Susan Heggestad brought that and more.

The “We Are All Weeds” exhibition consists of printmaking, painting and weaving, accompanied by plants found in Heggestad’s backyard to a bird’s wings found on a walk, emphasizing the natural world and storytelling in her work. Alongside most pieces, poems were placed throughout the gallery telling mythological stories.

The exhibit is on display at Augustana from Nov. 15 through Dec. 12. 

“I just have an affinity for plants,” Heggestad said. “I definitely have started paying more attention as I've gotten older to the oddly neglected, sort of unknown plants in unexpected places, the cracks on the sidewalk behind buildings and in my yard where I certainly didn’t put them.” 

Freshman Madison Massarello planned to visit the art gallery as soon as she saw the flyers.

“I made a note of the date and that I was interested in going to my first art gallery reception,” Massarello said. “I wanted to hear what the artist had to say about her work rather than interpret it on my own.”

Massarello decided her favorite piece was “Never Again Means Never Again,” a collagraph and cotton thread embroidery on paper depicting flower-like shapes. Massarello was impressed with how each flower had to be individually threaded, which she said conveyed a sense of benevolence and gentleness. 

Art professor Scott Parsons admired the allusions to nature. 

“The gallery sort of bridged the gap between environments and connected us a bit,” Parsons said. “That’s pretty powerful.”

Another piece stood out to Massarello, in the corner of the gallery under a bright light. 

“Reliquary for Daphne” featured an altered wooden cabinet with carvings, accompanied by cast paper, silk vines and sustainably sourced materials. Wood chips were scattered on the floor surrounding the object. Slightly open drawers revealed nests Heggestad had found or been gifted over the years. 

Heggestad said the nests felt as if they belonged inside the cabinets.

“‘Reliquary for Daphne’ is in reference to the Greek myth, a nymph being pursued by Apollo,” Heggestad said. “She killed two gods to save her, and the way they saved her was by turning her into a tree.”

Heggestad discussed depictions of Daphne throughout art history and found the nymph turning into a tree as compelling imagery – she did not want to include the physical body but the effect. 

“It’s as though, like this tree, one has been turned into a very delicate dresser to hold these nests,” said Heggestad. “The nests, for me, represent the potential of family and motherhood.”

The subject of family reoccurs in Heggestad’s creations, and she confided to gallery viewers she had previously been a single mother while navigating different careers. Growing up and graduating from high school, Heggestad spent years thinking she’d work in the fashion industry but instead became an instructor of art appreciation and art history at Western Iowa Tech Community College.

Heggestad’s openness and personability struck Parsons. 

“There was just honesty in working with what was immediately available in front of you every year, like plants,” Parsons said. “It seemed there was definitely this dialogue of beauty in nature, and it is part of the artist's role to express what they see.”

Heggestad continues to create new artwork and regularly updates her website and social media accounts with new creations.