VERO BEACH, FLA.- Discover nature’s fragility, its power, and its potential to transform and endure in A Tangled Plot: Works by Annie Blazejack and Geddes Levenson, an original exhibition on view at the
Vero Beach Museum of Art (VBMA) from July 12 through October 5. In more than 40 paintings and mixed-media works, the duo reveals their unique and highly collaborative artistic process. The works illuminate their deep connections to the Florida landscape through exploration of its diverse wildlife, marine life, and intricate ecosystems, including swamps, marshes, hardwood hammocks, and mangrove forests.
Blazejack and Levenson, who both hail from Miami, Florida, draw inspiration from literature, poetry, ecology, and science fiction, among other sources, reimagining them in a world uniquely their own. A Tangled Plot refers both to an unruly plot of land and to a narrative structure filled with intricate, interwoven storylines. The works included are complex and convoluted, featuring multiple characters, subplots, and unexpected twists, which challenge the audience to unravel the narrative threads.
Annie Blazejack and Geddes Levenson, North Carolina Moth Habitat, 2024. Acrylic on panel, 48 x 48 inches. Image courtesy of the artists.
“Their process is nonlinear—they take turns adding to each piece, layering ideas over time,” explains VBMA Chief Curator Caitlin Swindell, who curated the original exhibition. “As a result, their paintings evolve like living conversations as they grow, shift, and transform—land, water, animals, and humans become characters in ongoing narratives.”
This exhibition is divided into three sections:
• Metamorphosis features alligators and hybrid alligator-women as central figures, exploring themes of survival through adaptation.
• Setting the Stage focuses on plants and animals, with little to no human presence. These works delve into the idea of nonhuman sentience (the ability to perceive and react to stimuli consciously) and the often-theatrical worlds of diverse habitats.
• Unreliable Narrators introduces female figures interacting with or mimicking nature through contorted poses, eerie moments that evoke the tradition of witchcraft, and nighttime gardening, among other vignettes. This section brings A Tangled Plot’s overarching themes into sharper focus: Who holds power over nature, for what purpose, and why?
Rather than offering definitive answers, the works unfold like folklore, leaving a lasting impression and inviting viewers to reflect on their relationships with the natural world.
Annie Blazejack and Geddes Levenson, Mangrove Crabs with Invasive Species, 2020. Ceramic and acrylic on paper, overall: 40 x 12 x 6 inches. Image courtesy of the artists.
“I first encountered one of Annie and Geddes’ works several years ago, and since then, I’ve had the privilege of diving deeper into their artistic practice,” continues Swindell. “Curating this exhibition, which features a dynamic range of pieces from recent years, has been incredibly exciting. Annie and Geddes stand out for the depth and intention behind their work. Their paintings and mixed media pieces are layered with research from cultural theory, literature, ecology, science fiction, poetry, and theater. Their collaborative energy is exciting to witness.”
This exhibition is made possible by the generous support of Presenting Sponsors: The Yela "Peter" and Derek Fowler Endowment for Acquisitions and Exhibitions, Patricia M. Patten Endowment, and the Estate of Glee and Robert Ries Endowment; Patron Sponsors: Miriam S. Grabow and Barbara Konforti; and Exhibition Sponsors: George P. Armstrong Endowment Fund, Friends of the VBMA Endowment, and The VBMA Endowment.
Annie Blazejack and Geddes Levenson, For the sake of stillness, 2024. Oil on panel, 24 x 17 inches. Image courtesy of the artists.
A Tangled Plot: Works by Annie Blazejack and Geddes Levenson was curated by Chief Curator Caitlin Swindell and organized by the Vero Beach Museum of Art.
