Tracy Hicks (American, 1946-2014), Common Ground

Mixed media assemblage, metal, glass jars mounted to a wood backing, each jar containing a naturalist specimen preserved within crushed colored salt-like rocks or glass substrate, the reverse cleated for wall display, unsigned.

24 x 25 x 7 in.

Dallas-based artist, Tracy Hicks' work explores the intersection of art and science. His installations and artworks often showcase the artist's own fascination with various preserved flora and fauna, exploring themes of environmental awareness and extinction. Hicks had initially trained as a goldsmith, became a commercial photographer and then moved into his own brand of installations. In Dallas, his work was shown in solo shows at the Conduit Gallery, Brookhaven College, the African-American Museum, the McKinney Avenue Contemporary and Valley House Gallery. The DMA purchased one of his works for its permanent collection. The artist's Encounters Series was exhibited in 1994 at the DMA alongside artist Damien Hirst.
Tracy was an artist-in-residence and adjunct professor at SMU, and a Fellow in the Smithsonian's Artist Research Program. The artist later moved to the mountains of North Carolina and passed away in 2014.

Some rusting to metal; one jar detached; contents to the interior jars with some looseness and staining.