October 23–November 21, 2025
Body, Landscape, and Myth
Lauren Woods
McLanahan Gallery, Misciagna Family Center for Performing Arts
Artist Statement
Nature is a recurring source of inspiration in my practice—forest ecosystems, where decay and growth intersect, create reflective spaces to consider nonhuman time and mythological presence. Solitary exploration in natural settings dissolves boundaries between body, self, and the landscape, creating a heightened awareness of natural rhythms and ephemeral transformations. My current body of work explores these ideas through atmospheric paintings and movement-based video pieces. Body, Landscape, and Myth features paintings and a series of new videos created this summer during a residency at Graves Mill Farm in Madison, Virginia. Through my practice, I consider my body as both a container and a threshold—investigating how physical experience connects with symbolic and metaphysical awareness. These works explore themes of metamorphosis, duality, and the paradoxical interplay between control and surrender, linking personal experiences to larger cosmic and ecological narratives, such as creation, dismemberment, and transformation myths.
Artist Bio
Lauren Woods is an artist whose creative research focuses on embodied expression, nature’s consciousness and the transformative qualities of time. She works across various mediums, including painting, video and dance performances. Born in Mobile, Alabama, Lauren received her M.F.A. in painting from the New York Academy of Art after completing her B.A. in studio art at Spring Hill College. Currently, she is an associate professor of art in the Department of Art & Art History at Auburn University, where she teaches figure drawing and painting.
Artist Checklist
- Change of Seasons, 2025
Oil on wood panel
60” x 60” x 3” - Deer Heart, 2023
Oil on canvas
14” x 11” x 2” - Daphne, 2025
Oil on canvas
14” x 11” x 2” - Body/Mind, 2023
Oil on linen
84” x 80” - Rose Veil, 2024
Oil on wood panel
16” x 16” x 2” - Rose Ring, 2023
Oil on wood panel
16” x 16” x 2” - Rose Crown, 2024
Oil on wood panel
16” x 16” x 2” - Rose Briar, 2024
Oil on wood panel
16” x 16” x 2” - Nymph Series, 2025
Single Channel Video
Digital - Runtime 5:21
Misciagna Family Center
for Performing Arts
Penn State Altoona
3000 Ivyside Park
Altoona, PA 16601
814-949-5452
[email protected]
Penn State encourages qualified persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact the box office at the Misciagna Family Center for Performing Arts by calling 814-949-5452 in advance of your participation or visit.
This publication is available in alternative media on request.
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