Flexible and supple are not words normally associated with wood — until viewing the distinctive baskets, vessels and other forms Jeanne Drevas sculpts from white pine bark, sweet birch, tulip poplar, willow and maple. Sixteen of herrecent creations bring “The Forest Within” to Smith Farm Center northeast of Dupont Circle.
Well-versed in the language of nature, the artist senses commonalties with trees in the forests of Virginia’s Rappahannock County, where she built her house by hand. Drevas takes cues from nest-building birds, paper-making wasps and rain-swollen streams that scatter roots and branches. As absorbed in senescence as much as life, she scrutinizes nature’s discards, from seed pods to shed bark to insect pickings.
She gleans all manner of source materials from deep-woods scavenger hunts. The molded barks forming a mystery box are riveted in place by sweet birch pegs. Long pine needles and grasses accent vases of sinewy yet seductive pine.
Made to acknowledge others searching for emotional and spiritual healing, “Hopeful Sisters” features figures dancing arm-in-arm. Constructed from an inventive eggshell mosaic, broom corn and other organic discards, the women seem both fragile and unstoppable.
These unique artworks evoke artifacts from tribal peoples of various cultures. Drevas shares with them a deep knowledge of nature that comes from living close enough to the land to experience its daily rhythms and seasonal cycles of growth, decay and renewal. Revealing her passion for natural forms, the artist easily slips into discourse on the Fibonacci sequences that emerge in nautilus shells, pine cones, sunflower heads and the perfectly packed tulip poplar seeds that embellish “Small Goddess II.”
Providing resources and support for people living with cancer, Smith Farm Center is gaining neighbors’ attention for remarkable member art exhibitions like this. Here’s an ideal opportunity to get back to nature while it’s cold outside.
The Forest Within
On view through April 27
» Venue: Smith Farm Center, 1632 U St. NW
» Info: 202-493-8600; www.smithfarm.com
» Related event: Art & Live Music evening 5:30 to 8 p.m. April 6
