Decortication, The Wrinkle of Change

Decortication, The Wrinkle of Change, is a record of Genie Poretzky-Lee’s new sculptures. Across more than seven decades of artistic practice, her recent work possesses an inner coherence, and an enduring commitment to curiosity, experimentation and a close dialogue with materials. Poretzky-Lee sees herself as a maker rather than artist. Her most recent objects are created from the falling bark of a dying apple tree in her garden, ’Decortication’ weaves together bark, fabric, seeds, thread, paper, shells and found objects. The bark becomesboth structure and witness, holding together fragments that might otherwise remain scattered. Each sculpture possesses its own personality, as though in conversationwith its maker. Her sculptures have something of the reliquary about them: small containers of memory assembled from humble materials. They recall Kurt Schwitters, Joseph Cornell, Arte Povera and the quiet folk shrines made by people who would never think of calling themselves artists. Her sculptures are accompanied by Poretzky-Lee’s poetic phrases. All the images are photographed by Anna Walker.With an introduction also by Anna Walker.