Space Has Become This Material Thing reveals the intersections of memory, communication, and physicality. Through sculptures and drawings of hand gestures, Giles captures the reflections of individuals who have recently transitioned to new homes. The invited participants, young adults and elderly citizens, like many others, underwent significant changes in their perception of home during the pandemic-induced isolation. The stories and gestures captured through this artwork serve as a point of social engagement through listening, sharing, and connecting personal to collective memory.

The fleeting shapes and movements our hands make while speaking are skillfully rendered, evoking the embodied experience of the world and making each artwork a tangible repository, preserving the recollections and perceived realities of the speakers. In focusing on the recalled experiences of individuals and the corresponding hand gestures, Giles seeks to illuminate the point at which language takes on a sculptural form. Through this exploration, the exhibition offers a captivating exploration of how our embodied experiences shape our understanding and representation of the spaces we call home.

During the run of Space Has Become This Material Thing, a full-color catalog will be issued that includes an essay by Teresa E. Silva. This exhibition runs from September 5 through October 27, 2023.

This project is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency.