Finding A Piece of Mind: A Form of Contemplation at Trotter & Sholer.

In The Menu, Visual Arts by Quiet LunchLeave a Comment

Imbued with the sweet stench of decaying flowers and melted wax, A Form of Contemplation immediately invites one to get comfortable and stay a while. It is a thoughtful and tranquil exhibition that allows its audience a true moment to reflect. To outsiders, galleries can seem like standoffish establishments; members only clubs that appeal strictly to the upper crust and exclude the hoi poloi. A Form of Contemplation has a universal draw that evens the existential play field, welcoming all of those who wish to find their moment. Taking its cues from iconography and ritualism, Derek Weisberg‘s latest solo effort creates a safe space away from a recently reignited world that has been once again set ablaze.


“Life can be fucking hard and the world is sometimes brutally cruel.  But so what? We all know that, what good does it do us to stop our lives there? The world is sitting in a precarious state right now and what I feel we all really need is to find time for pause and contemplation, and realize that the reality is love is all around us.  We have to make real conscious decisions and make daily gestures to create realities and a world full of love and joy. I know it’s a lofty goal, but I hope this work and exhibition can hopefully act as a starting point for each individual to bring more love into their lives.”  

– Derek Weisberg

Courtesy of Trotter & Sholer.

Trotter & Sholer is the perfect setting for A Form of Contemplation. It is a quaint but mighty gallery, possessing the ability to house exhibitions that live rent free in one’s mind for months at a time. This is Weisberg’s third exhibition with Trotter & Sholer and it is apparent that the two are developing some serious chemistry. For this outing, Weisberg took a more interactive approach. You are greeted by an eye-catching shrine that immediately demands your attention and focus. The triptych display also suggests that you leave an offering–whether be it a coin, a trinket or a small note. Attendees are even encouraged to light candles. The whole experience is endearing and quite memorable.

A Form of Contemplation is very serene, ardent and even solemn at its core. However, the cracked and crooked exterior of this exhibition provides a jagged juxtaposition that really sets everything off. When we asked about the heart of the exhibition, curator Jenna Ferrey had this to say:


“For me, the heart of the exhibition is the sculpture ‘Wrapped in Silence.’ I think it requires the viewer to get very close to the artwork to really experience and see its details, which was the kind of intimacy between viewer and artwork that Derek wanted to bring into this exhibition.”

– Jenna Ferrey

Courtesy of Trotter & Sholer.
Courtesy of Trotter & Sholer.
Courtesy of Trotter & Sholer.

A Form of Contemplation is on view through October 15th 2022. Stop by Trotter & Sholer (168 Suffolk Street) and check it out if you’re in the neighborhood–tell them Quiet Lunch sent you!


Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.