Summer Art Garden: Wax Print Wonderland

Samilia Pelshak presents Wax Print Wonderland, an enchanting installation of her vibrant African wax print designs. Trained in graphic design at the Memphis College of Art, Pelshak transforms the plaza into a surrealist wonderland inspired by her Nigerian cultural heritage and childhood memories of the 1951 Disney film Alice in Wonderland. Pelshak’s patterns contain cultural signifiers of the African diaspora, including gourds that form faces symbolizing watchful eyes and wisdom, concentric circles pulled from woven placemats that exemplify community gathering, and braids shaped into triangles, referencing unity and hairbraiding traditions. Wax print is a highly recognizable and celebrated fabric known for its bold colors and dazzling patterns rooted in West Africa. From the motifs in her wax print patterns, to the whimsical shape of the topiaries and swirl of textiles emerging from the museum’s entrance, the installation celebrates collective identity and strength in gathering.

All exhibitions at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art are underwritten by the MBMA Exhibition Fund: Lead support provided by Kay Clark, and Maggie and Milton Lovell, with additional funding from Anonymous, Irene and Ron Ayotte, Gloria and Kenneth Boyland, Deborah and Bob Craddock, Susan and James Edelman, Debi and Galen Havner, Sally Hergenrader, James R. Humphreys, Betty and George Johnson, Kristen and Jay Keegan, Valerie and Carl Person, Deborah D. Tipton, Bill Townsend, and the Doris S. and Hubert Kiersky Charitable Remainder Trust.