Cythnia Porter’s work resembles a dark organic system of roots imbedded in a cross-section of the earth. At the same time, the channels and tube-like worms in her work are like capillaries feeding gaping stigmata. Whether these organic networks refer to something anatomical or botanical, they are both elements of living organisms. Porter renders these dark components as murky and viscous. Her ambiguous subjects draw connections between links in the web of life.

Working in the studio, Porter did background linen washes on cotton backing sheets, which were pressed. Then she transferred prepared caran d’arche drawings (done on mylar) onto the backing sheets. Additional pulp painting was then done on top of the transferred drawings.

Cynthia Porter received a BFA in Artisanry from Boston University and completed a fellowship at Pennsylvania Council on the Arts. She has taught at the Tyler School of Art and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.

Workspace Program artist-in-residence 1995