Ephemeral Shrines Exhibition At The Depot

Staff Report

Arsaga’s The Depot off Dickson Street is launching its winter programming with an exhibition of recent work by Little Rock artist Lakey Goff Sanford. The show is titled Ephemeral Shrines, and is curated by Kat Wilson. It consists of Sanford’s sculptural headpieces, displayed in commanding photographs taken by her husband Dero Sanford.

To create Ephemeral Shrines, Sanford used ideas about chakra and alchemy, focusing on the geography of the head, close to the third eye and crown chakra. Alchemic materials and ideas are embedded in each headpiece, with each containing a meditation eye pillow that serves as a talisman to spearhead transformation. Inspired by the weight of beading, the lightness of bones, the depth of velvet and the texture of lace as well as the softness of fur and the symmetry of feathers, she makes sculptural artifacts – “ephemeral shrines” – that temporarily reside on the head. They also become stories from the transitory stream of life.

Lakey and Dero Sanford have collaborated on numerous projects during the past decade. They are based in Little Rock where Lakey owns and operates Memento Mori Salon, where she styles hair and creates unique headpieces. She attended Hendrix College and graduated from the University of Memphis. Dero Sandford is a nationally-based commercial photographer, as well as a collaborator with his wife. Both will be present at the opening. More work can be viewed at mementomorisalon.com.

The exhibition will Start Dec. 2 and run through Dec. 29, with an opening reception Dec. 5 from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. in conjunction with First Thursdays. The Reception is free and open to the public. Food, beverages and music will be provided by The Depot.

Here is a short video of Lakey Goff Sanford discussing her work: https://vimeo.com/79329101

For more information contact Kat Wilson at katographic@gmail.com or 501-951-4151.