Prairie is pleased to present Flesh of Earth, a solo exhibition from New York-based artist Suzanna Zak which runs from April 10 — May 22, 2021.

We are hosting a socially distanced opening this Saturday, April 10 from 2–8pm. Masks are required but reservations are not. A maximum of 8 patrons will be allowed in the space at a time and we recommend coming earlier in the day to avoid crowding.

Below is the exhibition text written by Tamara Becerra Valdez:

FROM BIRTH, I HAVE BEEN FAMILIAR WITH THIS PLACE AND HAVE HEARD IT TALKED ABOUT FROM THOSE FAMILIAR TO THOSE ESTRANGED. OVER TIME I HAVE SEEN THE USE AND ABUSE OF PARTS OF IT.

I HAVE SEEN SUCCESSES AND FAILURES
I HAVE SEEN DESTRUCTION AND RESTORATION
INJURY AND HARM COME FASTER THAN VIRTUE.
I HAVE LEARNED SOME THINGS ABOUT IT.

I DO NOT KNOW THE BEST WAY TO USE THIS LAND
NOR DO I BELIEVE THAT ANYONE ELSE DOES.
I NO LONGER EXPECT TO LIVE TO SEE IT
OR COME TO ITS BEST USE.

(A HUNTER CALLS — LONG SOUNDS)

SIGHT OR SITE, AT FIRST GLANCE,
I WANDER ACROSS THE HEIGHTS OF MOUNTAINS
ACROSS SWEPT RIVERS
DEEP FORESTS
UNDER ENDLESS SKIES.

WHAT IS THIS BELOVED LANDSCAPE USED FOR?

(REPEATED SHORT SOUNDS IN THE DISTANCE)

I AM BEGINNING TO SEE WHAT IS NEEDED
MORE INTENSE AND MORE INFREQUENT,
IT IS MORE ABOUT WHAT COMES AFTER.

TO BE WELL USED, IS TO BE WELL CARED FOR

RECUPERATION EXISTS ON DIFFERENT SCALES:
THE PLANET, THE TERRITORY, THE COMMUNITY, THE BODY, THE SELF.

STILL, THIS PLACE THAT I AM FAMILIAR WITH
CAN LIVE, DESPITE
ANNOUNCEMENTS OF ITS DEATH.

IN A GLOBAL STATE OF FLUX AND PRECARITY
I LOOK FOR LIFE.

THE COLLECTING UP OF THE WORLD,
EVERYTHING LIVING AND DYING WELL
IN NATURE, “FIRST” “SECOND” AND “THIRD”.

HOW ELSE CAN I ACCOUNT FOR THE FACT THAT ANYTHING IS ALIVE IN THE MESS
WE HAVE MADE?

A PRECARIOUS WORLD EXPOSES VULNERABILITIES,
UNPREDICTABLE ENCOUNTERS, DETACHED SURROUNDINGS,
AND OBLIQUE NARRATIVES
MEANWHILE, AVOIDING TIME’S ARROW
AND KEEPING EVEN WITH THE WORLD.

NOTHING GIVES A MAN THE RIGHT TO BE SUCH A BASTARD.

IT IS TRUE
EMPATHY MAY NOT BE TELEPATHY.

THE GRASS GROWING THROUGH SLAB
IMBUES A TENDER COMPLEXITY
NOTICE HOW EASILY
THEY RUB UP AGAINST EACH OTHER.

(TURN, AFTER TURN, AFTER TURN, AFTER TURN)
HERE, GETTING USED TO THE GEOGRAPHY OF ABSENCE.

AN INCANTATION OF RENEWAL
HERE IS THE COLLAPSE WE’VE BEEN CALLING IN.

(TAMARA BECERRA VALDEZ, 2021)

Suzanna Zak (b. 1990, Moscow, Russia) is a New York-based artist working across the mediums of sculpture and photography with an environmental concern. She received her MFA from Yale School of Art in sculpture in 2019 and her BFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art in photography and printmaking in 2012. She is also an avid rock climber and mushroom forager.

Official Website

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Tags: Chicago, Flesh of Earth, Lower West Side, Prairie, Suzanna Zak, Tamara Becerra Valdez