In her new solo show at ALG Fine Art called “Reviving Giants: Nature | Form | Legacy,” Christi Meril presents the next evolution in her exploration through wood. She merges organic textures, mainly old-growth redwood, with modern art techniques, from acrylic paint to neon lights.
These complementary contrasts between the old and the new, the raw and the refined invite us to listen to the stories of nature, feel the pulsing energy of urban cities, and explore the intersection between the past, present and future.
Growing up in Dallas, Christi found inspiration for this unique collection in both the urban life of the city and the natural landscapes of the Rocky Mountains, co-existing together. Each piece strikes the balance between history and modernity.
Neon and Wood Sculptures
The epitome of urban life meets natural beauty, these sculptures combine the grandeur of old-growth redwood with the brightness of neon lights.
Christi traveled to Mendocino County, California to hand-select each piece of wood. The influence of her time spent immersed in the rugged coastline, towering trees, and stillness of the forests can be felt in the powerful presence of these pieces.
She worked with Trent Atkinson on the neon elements, introducing the energy, movement, and textures typical of urban life. While unexpected, the neon elements enhance the rawness of the redwood and draw us in to think deeper about the blend of natural and industrial in modern life.
“Remember”
See also “Stargaze“ and “Imagine.”
Mixed Media Wood Sculptures
The medium of wood is a strong foundation for exploration, both through modern art techniques and other materials derived from the natural world.
Christi made an intentional decision to bring more sculptural elements into her work through the use of paper in 2020. During the COVID shutdown, she spent six weeks in the Rocky Mountains, hiking daily with her dog. This gave her time to reflect on the next evolution of her art and decide upon using paper, a byproduct of wood, as a new route for exploration.
It fits perfectly into her core theme of provision as Christi explains, “When you are stripped down to your most basic needs, wood is there. It’s oxygen, shelter, firewood, and paper. When I think of past, present, and future I keep coming back to provision, that no matter what’s been happening in my life, there’s been provision.”
“Embrace”
“Moonbeam”
See also “Echo,” “Thaw,” “Americana” and “Reclaimed.”
Reimagined objects
As well as giving new life to old-growth redwood washed up on the beach, Christi has taken commonplace objects and transformed them. This allows us to see them in a new light and what they symbolize about the past, present and future, and the ongoing merging of urban and nature.
Christi simultaneously honors the raw objects while pushing the boundaries of modern art to create something unique and impactful. The impact they have is up to us as Christi shares, “I hope viewers connect with the pieces in a personal way, finding meaning in the art’s resilience, renewal, and transformation.”
“Writes”
See also “Fountain of Knowledge,” “Treasure Chest” and “Wander to Wonder.”
2D paintings
Christi also depicts the merging of natural landscapes and urban settings on 2D canvases. We experience the same powerful presence of nature and the pulsing energy of modernity in the brush strokes on linen.
We can see her influences of the high deserts, rocky coastlines and city life coming together and telling a story of resilience, renewal and the passage of time. Nature stands strong as modern life races on.
“Resolve”
See also “Tree Talk II,” “Tree Talk III,” “Flight,” “Reflection,” “High Desert View I,” “High Desert View II,” “Close Knit” and “Trail Magic.”
“Reviving Giants: Nature | Form | Legacy,” a solo show by Christi Meril is available to view at ALG Fine Art until June 2025.
We’re open Wednesday to Saturday 11am to 4pm at 1302 Dragon St. Dallas, TX. Or book an appointment.
Acquire pieces from this unique collection of artwork here.
