The Magical Realm of St. Broxville Wood at Cal Poly Pomona
Kellogg University Art Gallery, Pomona
through March 26
Written by Sydney Walters
St. Broxville Wood: Into the Thicket is a fantastical exploration of magical realism using a common object in uncommon ways. Each artist relishes in the incalculable uses of wood. Through an ingenious exploration of wood, plinths, branches and brambles become a self-propelling mechanism in fabricating a curious environment we do not wish to leave.
This exhibit features Jennifer Gunlock, Hilary Norcliffe, and Katie Stubblefield. These are three Long Beach and Los Angeles based artists who worked collaboratively to imagine St. Broxville, a fictional composite of their city of origin. The manifestation of detailed and whimsical imaginings makes a complex and surreal ode to nature.
On the right side of the Kellogg University art gallery, Hilary Norcliffe presents a novel way to experience artwork in a gallery. For many of her pieces, she fabricates sculptures to be played as musical instruments. In “House Hold”, Norcliffe creates a bare frame for a home or room. One of the studs is jointed with a tree branch. This oddity suggests delineation of reality and suggests a subtle challenge of how form and function have been defined. On the far wall, she hangs two-by-fours by rope. They hang freely in different lengths and make varying tones when struck by the wooden mallets she provides. In the corner is “Time-In-Chair”, another musical instrument made out of an abandoned wooden chair. The playable portion of the chair is attached to the interior structure of “House Hold”. On the seat, small wooden mallets hang, ready to be used to play the back support, now turned into a tuned instrument. Other playable sculptures such as a grill with guitar strings tuned to play Another One Bites The Dust, are positioned sporadically throughout the exhibit making Into the Thicket an animated playground.
The left side of the front gallery mainly showcases the work of Katie Stubblefield. Hanging from the ceiling is “Comeuppance”, a layered and twisted chandelier-like sculpture made from rebar, fabric, twigs, pieces of yoga mats and other found objects. It delicately touches the ground and handmade ceramic vessels that are partially full with water surround the piece, creating a fragmented reflecting pool. Other pieces Stubblefield calls “Brambles” or “Mobile Thickets” hang with rope at varying heights. Zip ties, metal hardware and tree limbs radiate from their centers making them resemble a fragile root system.
For Jennifer Gunlock’s wall pieces that are large-scale drawings and collages, synthesize tree houses with machines. Scaffolding and wiring intermingle with lush canopies. They have an illustrative quality that makes them appear like blueprints or schematics for futurist or post apocalyptic houses. Gunlock’s work helps situate St. Broxville into a provocative space that provides an immersive and engaging landscape to Stubblefield and Norcliffe’s installations. Visiting this exhibit is like meandering through a forest; there are secret and delightful treasures in each piece making turning every corner a rich and exciting experience.
Kellogg University Art Gallery
3801 W Temple Ave, Pomona, 91768
Exhibition Dates: January 21-March 26, 2020
Closing Reception/Artist Q&A: Tuesday, March 24th 11:30am-1:30pm
Gallery Hours:
Monday-Tuesday: 4-8pm
Wednesday-Thursday: 12-4pm
Friday: Closed
Saturday-Sunday: 12-4pm
St. Broxville Wood: Into the Thicket, Kellogg University Art Gallery; Photo credit Sydney Walters
Hilary Norcliffe, Stumps, St. Broxville Wood: Into the Thicket, Kellogg University Art Gallery; Photo credit Sydney Walters
![Hilary Norcliffe, _2x4-o-phone,_(detail), Kellogg University Art Gallery Hilary Norcliffe, 2x4-o-phone, St. Broxville Wood: Into the Thicket, Kellogg University Art Gallery; Photo credit Sydney Walters](https://i0.wp.com/artandcakela.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/hilary-norcliffe-_2x4-o-phone_detail-kellogg-university-art-gallery.jpg?w=177&h=236&ssl=1)
Hilary Norcliffe, 2×4-o-phone, St. Broxville Wood: Into the Thicket, Kellogg University Art Gallery; Photo credit Sydney Walters
![Hilary Norcliffe, _Drawer-o-phone,_ Kellogg University Art Gallery Hilary Norcliffe, Drawer-o-phone, St. Broxville Wood: Into the Thicket, Kellogg University Art Gallery; Photo credit Sydney Walters](https://i0.wp.com/artandcakela.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/hilary-norcliffe-_drawer-o-phone_-kellogg-university-art-gallery.jpg?w=176&h=236&ssl=1)
Hilary Norcliffe, Drawer-o-phone, St. Broxville Wood: Into the Thicket, Kellogg University Art Gallery; Photo credit Sydney Walters
![Hilary Norcliffe, _Dulcimer Grill,_ Kellogg University Art Gallery Hilary Norcliffe, Dulcimer Grill, St. Broxville Wood: Into the Thicket, Kellogg University Art Gallery; Photo credit Sydney Walters](https://i0.wp.com/artandcakela.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/hilary-norcliffe-_dulcimer-grill_-kellogg-university-art-gallery.jpg?w=237&h=316&ssl=1)
Hilary Norcliffe, Dulcimer Grill, St. Broxville Wood: Into the Thicket, Kellogg University Art Gallery; Photo credit Sydney Walters
![Hilary Norcliffe, _Eavesdroppers,_ Cal Poly Pomona Art Gallery Hilary Norcliffe, Eavesdroppers, St. Broxville Wood: Into the Thicket, Kellogg University Art Gallery; Photo credit Sydney Walters](https://i0.wp.com/artandcakela.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/hilary-norcliffe-_eavesdroppers_-cal-poly-pomona-art-gallery-.jpg?w=237&h=316&ssl=1)
Hilary Norcliffe, Eavesdroppers, St. Broxville Wood: Into the Thicket, Kellogg University Art Gallery; Photo credit Sydney Walters
![Hilary Norcliffe, _Eavesdroppers,_ Kellogg University Art Gallery Hilary Norcliffe, Eavesdroppers, St. Broxville Wood: Into the Thicket, Kellogg University Art Gallery; Photo credit Sydney Walters](https://i0.wp.com/artandcakela.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/hilary-norcliffe-_eavesdroppers_-kellogg-university-art-gallery.jpg?w=237&h=316&ssl=1)
Hilary Norcliffe, Eavesdroppers, St. Broxville Wood: Into the Thicket, Kellogg University Art Gallery; Photo credit Sydney Walters
![Hilary Norcliffe, _House Hold,_ (detail), Kellogg University Art Gallery Hilary Norcliffe, House Hold, St. Broxville Wood: Into the Thicket, Kellogg University Art Gallery; Photo credit Sydney Walters](https://i0.wp.com/artandcakela.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/hilary-norcliffe-_house-hold_-detail-kellogg-university-art-gallery.jpg?w=177&h=236&ssl=1)
Hilary Norcliffe, House Hold, St. Broxville Wood: Into the Thicket, Kellogg University Art Gallery; Photo credit Sydney Walters
![Hilary Norcliffe, _House Hold,_ Kellogg University Art Gallery Hilary Norcliffe, House Hold, St. Broxville Wood: Into the Thicket, Kellogg University Art Gallery; Photo credit Sydney Walters](https://i0.wp.com/artandcakela.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/hilary-norcliffe-_house-hold_-kellogg-university-art-gallery.jpg?w=177&h=236&ssl=1)
Hilary Norcliffe, House Hold, St. Broxville Wood: Into the Thicket, Kellogg University Art Gallery; Photo credit Sydney Walters
![Hilary Norcliffe, _HWYL,_ Kellogg University Art Gallery Hilary Norcliffe, HWYL, St. Broxville Wood: Into the Thicket, Kellogg University Art Gallery; Photo credit Sydney Walters](https://i0.wp.com/artandcakela.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/hilary-norcliffe-_hwyl_-kellogg-university-art-gallery.jpg?w=177&h=236&ssl=1)
Hilary Norcliffe, HWYL, St. Broxville Wood: Into the Thicket, Kellogg University Art Gallery; Photo credit Sydney Walters
![Hilary Norcliffe, _Lost (Bread Crumbs),_ Kellogg University Art Gallery Hilary Norcliffe, Lost (Bread Crumbs), St. Broxville Wood: Into the Thicket, Kellogg University Art Gallery; Photo credit Sydney Walters](https://i0.wp.com/artandcakela.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/hilary-norcliffe-_lost-bread-crumbs_-kellogg-university-art-gallery.jpg?w=176&h=236&ssl=1)
Hilary Norcliffe, Lost (Bread Crumbs), St. Broxville Wood: Into the Thicket, Kellogg University Art Gallery; Photo credit Sydney Walters
![Hilary Norcliffe, _Rapunzels Rake,_ Kellogg University Art Gallery Hilary Norcliffe, Rapunzels Rake, St. Broxville Wood: Into the Thicket, Kellogg University Art Gallery; Photo credit Sydney Walters](https://i0.wp.com/artandcakela.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/hilary-norcliffe-_rapunzels-rake_-kellogg-university-art-gallery.jpg?w=358&h=477&ssl=1)
Hilary Norcliffe, Rapunzels Rake, St. Broxville Wood: Into the Thicket, Kellogg University Art Gallery; Photo credit Sydney Walters
![Hilary Norcliffe, _River Run-Expecto Patronus,_ Kellogg University Art Gallery Hilary Norcliffe, River Run Expecto Patronus, St. Broxville Wood: Into the Thicket, Kellogg University Art Gallery; Photo credit Sydney Walters](https://i0.wp.com/artandcakela.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/hilary-norcliffe-_river-run-expecto-patronus_-kellogg-university-art-gallery.jpg?w=357&h=477&ssl=1)
Hilary Norcliffe, River Run Expecto Patronus, St. Broxville Wood: Into the Thicket, Kellogg University Art Gallery; Photo credit Sydney Walters
![Hilary Norcliffe, _Root Eater,_ Kellogg University Art Gallery Hilary Norcliffe, Root Eater, St. Broxville Wood: Into the Thicket, Kellogg University Art Gallery; Photo credit Sydney Walters](https://i0.wp.com/artandcakela.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/hilary-norcliffe-_root-eater_-kellogg-university-art-gallery.jpg?w=177&h=236&ssl=1)
Hilary Norcliffe, Root Eater, St. Broxville Wood: Into the Thicket, Kellogg University Art Gallery; Photo credit Sydney Walters
![Hilary Norcliffe, _The Giving Tree, #3)_ Kellogg University Art Gallery Hilary Norcliffe, The Giving Tree #3, St. Broxville Wood: Into the Thicket, Kellogg University Art Gallery; Photo credit Sydney Walters](https://i0.wp.com/artandcakela.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/hilary-norcliffe-_the-giving-tree-3_-kellogg-university-art-gallery.jpg?w=177&h=236&ssl=1)
Hilary Norcliffe, The Giving Tree #3, St. Broxville Wood: Into the Thicket, Kellogg University Art Gallery; Photo credit Sydney Walters
![Hilary Norcliffe, _The Juniper Tree, #2,_ Kellogg University Art Gallery Hilary Norcliffe, The Juniper Tree #2, St. Broxville Wood: Into the Thicket, Kellogg University Art Gallery; Photo credit Sydney Walters](https://i0.wp.com/artandcakela.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/hilary-norcliffe-_the-juniper-tree-2_-kellogg-university-art-gallery.jpg?w=177&h=236&ssl=1)
Hilary Norcliffe, The Juniper Tree #2, St. Broxville Wood: Into the Thicket, Kellogg University Art Gallery; Photo credit Sydney Walters
![Hilary Norcliffe, _The Taking Tree,_ Kellogg University Art Gallery Hilary Norcliffe, The Taking Tree, St. Broxville Wood: Into the Thicket, Kellogg University Art Gallery; Photo credit Sydney Walters](https://i0.wp.com/artandcakela.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/hilary-norcliffe-_the-taking-tree_-kellogg-university-art-gallery.jpg?w=176&h=236&ssl=1)
Hilary Norcliffe, The Taking Tree, St. Broxville Wood: Into the Thicket, Kellogg University Art Gallery; Photo credit Sydney Walters
![Hilary Norcliffe, _The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil,_ Kellogg University Art Gallery Hilary Norcliffe, The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, St. Broxville Wood: Into the Thicket, Kellogg University Art Gallery; Photo credit Sydney Walters](https://i0.wp.com/artandcakela.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/hilary-norcliffe-_the-tree-of-the-knowledge-of-good-and-evil_-kellogg-university-art-gallery.jpg?w=237&h=316&ssl=1)
Hilary Norcliffe, The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, St. Broxville Wood: Into the Thicket, Kellogg University Art Gallery; Photo credit Sydney Walters
![Hilary Norcliffe, _Time-In-Chair,_ Kellogg University Art Gallery Hilary Norcliffe, Time in Chair, St. Broxville Wood: Into the Thicket, Kellogg University Art Gallery; Photo credit Sydney Walters](https://i0.wp.com/artandcakela.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/hilary-norcliffe-_time-in-chair_-kellogg-university-art-gallery.jpg?w=237&h=316&ssl=1)
Hilary Norcliffe, Time in Chair, St. Broxville Wood: Into the Thicket, Kellogg University Art Gallery; Photo credit Sydney Walters
![Hilary Norcliffe, _Toil and Trouble,_ Kellogg University Art Gallery Hilary Norcliffe, Toil and Trouble, St. Broxville Wood: Into the Thicket, Kellogg University Art Gallery; Photo credit Sydney Walters](https://i0.wp.com/artandcakela.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/hilary-norcliffe-_toil-and-trouble_-kellogg-university-art-gallery.jpg?w=237&h=316&ssl=1)
Hilary Norcliffe, Toil and Trouble, St. Broxville Wood: Into the Thicket, Kellogg University Art Gallery; Photo credit Sydney Walters
![Hilary Norcliffe, _Wicked Witch of the West Goes Deep Tree Diving,_ Kellogg University Art Gallery Hilary Norcliffe, Wicked Witch of the West Goes Deep Tree Diving, St. Broxville Wood: Into the Thicket, Kellogg University Art Gallery; Photo credit Sydney Walters](https://i0.wp.com/artandcakela.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/hilary-norcliffe-_wicked-witch-of-the-west-goes-deep-tree-diving_-kellogg-university-art-gallery.jpg?w=177&h=236&ssl=1)
Hilary Norcliffe, Wicked Witch of the West Goes Deep Tree Diving, St. Broxville Wood: Into the Thicket, Kellogg University Art Gallery; Photo credit Sydney Walters
![Installation View, Kellogg University Art Gallery(1) St. Broxville Wood: Into the Thicket, Kellogg University Art Gallery; Photo credit Sydney Walters](https://i0.wp.com/artandcakela.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/installation-view-kellogg-university-art-gallery1.jpg?w=177&h=236&ssl=1)
St. Broxville Wood: Into the Thicket, Kellogg University Art Gallery; Photo credit Sydney Walters
![Installation View, Kellogg University Art Gallery(2) St. Broxville Wood: Into the Thicket, Kellogg University Art Gallery; Photo credit Sydney Walters](https://i0.wp.com/artandcakela.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/installation-view-kellogg-university-art-gallery2.jpg?w=177&h=236&ssl=1)
St. Broxville Wood: Into the Thicket, Kellogg University Art Gallery; Photo credit Sydney Walters
![Installation View, Kellogg University Art Gallery(3) St. Broxville Wood: Into the Thicket, Kellogg University Art Gallery; Photo credit Sydney Walters](https://i0.wp.com/artandcakela.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/installation-view-kellogg-university-art-gallery3.jpg?w=176&h=236&ssl=1)
St. Broxville Wood: Into the Thicket, Kellogg University Art Gallery; Photo credit Sydney Walters
![Installation View, Kellogg University Art Gallery St. Broxville Wood: Into the Thicket, Kellogg University Art Gallery; Photo credit Sydney Walters](https://i0.wp.com/artandcakela.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/installation-view-kellogg-university-art-gallery.jpg?w=358&h=477&ssl=1)
St. Broxville Wood: Into the Thicket, Kellogg University Art Gallery; Photo credit Sydney Walters
![Jennifer Gunlock, _Building Boom_ Roosting Site #1,_ Kellogg University Art Gallery Jennifer Gunlock, Building Boom Roosting Site #1, St. Broxville Wood: Into the Thicket, Kellogg University Art Gallery; Photo credit Sydney Walters](https://i0.wp.com/artandcakela.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/jennifer-gunlock-_building-boom_-roosting-site-1_-kellogg-university-art-gallery.jpg?w=357&h=477&ssl=1)
Jennifer Gunlock, Building Boom Roosting Site #1, St. Broxville Wood: Into the Thicket, Kellogg University Art Gallery; Photo credit Sydney Walters
![Jennifer Gunlock, _Building Boom_ Roosting Site #2,_ Kellogg University Art Gallery Jennifer Gunlock, Building Boom Roosting Site #2, St. Broxville Wood: Into the Thicket, Kellogg University Art Gallery; Photo credit Sydney Walters](https://i0.wp.com/artandcakela.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/jennifer-gunlock-_building-boom_-roosting-site-2_-kellogg-university-art-gallery.jpg?w=177&h=236&ssl=1)
Jennifer Gunlock, Building Boom Roosting Site #2, St. Broxville Wood: Into the Thicket, Kellogg University Art Gallery; Photo credit Sydney Walters
![Jennifer Gunlock, _Habitat #2 (View from the Hills),_ Kellogg University Art Gallery Jennifer Gunlock, Habitat #2 View From The Hills, St. Broxville Wood: Into the Thicket, Kellogg University Art Gallery; Photo credit Sydney Walters](https://i0.wp.com/artandcakela.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/jennifer-gunlock-_habitat-2-view-from-the-hills_-kellogg-university-art-gallery.jpg?w=177&h=236&ssl=1)
Jennifer Gunlock, Habitat #2 View From The Hills, St. Broxville Wood: Into the Thicket, Kellogg University Art Gallery; Photo credit Sydney Walters
![Jennifer Gunlock, _Habitat,_ Kellogg University Art Gallery Jennifer Gunlock, Habitat, St. Broxville Wood: Into the Thicket, Kellogg University Art Gallery; Photo credit Sydney Walters](https://i0.wp.com/artandcakela.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/jennifer-gunlock-_habitat_-kellogg-university-art-gallery.jpg?w=177&h=236&ssl=1)
Jennifer Gunlock, Habitat, St. Broxville Wood: Into the Thicket, Kellogg University Art Gallery; Photo credit Sydney Walters
![Jennifer Gunlock, _Motherlode,_ Kellogg University Art Gallery Jennifer Gunlock, Motherlode, St. Broxville Wood: Into the Thicket, Kellogg University Art Gallery; Photo credit Sydney Walters](https://i0.wp.com/artandcakela.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/jennifer-gunlock-_motherlode_-kellogg-university-art-gallery.jpg?w=176&h=236&ssl=1)
Jennifer Gunlock, Motherlode, St. Broxville Wood: Into the Thicket, Kellogg University Art Gallery; Photo credit Sydney Walters
![Jennifer Gunlock, _Upward Mobility,_ Kellogg University Art Gallery Jennifer Gunlock, Upward Mobility, St. Broxville Wood: Into the Thicket, Kellogg University Art Gallery; Photo credit Sydney Walters](https://i0.wp.com/artandcakela.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/jennifer-gunlock-_upward-mobility_-kellogg-university-art-gallery.jpg?w=237&h=316&ssl=1)
Jennifer Gunlock, Upward Mobility, St. Broxville Wood: Into the Thicket, Kellogg University Art Gallery; Photo credit Sydney Walters
![Jennifer Gunlock, _Urban Interface,_ Kellogg University Art Gallery Jennifer Gunlock, Urban Interface, St. Broxville Wood: Into the Thicket, Kellogg University Art Gallery; Photo credit Sydney Walters](https://i0.wp.com/artandcakela.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/jennifer-gunlock-_urban-interface_-kellogg-university-art-gallery.jpg?w=237&h=316&ssl=1)
Jennifer Gunlock, Urban Interface, St. Broxville Wood: Into the Thicket, Kellogg University Art Gallery; Photo credit Sydney Walters
![Katie Stubblefield, _Comeuppance,_ Kellogg University Art Gallery Katie Stubblefield, Comeuppance, St. Broxville Wood: Into the Thicket, Kellogg University Art Gallery; Photo credit Sydney Walters](https://i0.wp.com/artandcakela.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/katie-stubblefield-_comeuppance_-kellogg-university-art-gallery.jpg?w=237&h=316&ssl=1)
Katie Stubblefield, Comeuppance, St. Broxville Wood: Into the Thicket, Kellogg University Art Gallery; Photo credit Sydney Walters
![Katie Stubblefield, _Mirror, Mirror_ series, Kellogg University Art Gallery Katie Stubblefield, Mirror Mirror series, St. Broxville Wood: Into the Thicket, Kellogg University Art Gallery; Photo credit Sydney Walters](https://i0.wp.com/artandcakela.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/katie-stubblefield-_mirror-mirror_-series-kellogg-university-art-gallery.jpg?w=358&h=477&ssl=1)
Katie Stubblefield, Mirror Mirror series, St. Broxville Wood: Into the Thicket, Kellogg University Art Gallery; Photo credit Sydney Walters
![Katie Stubblefield, _Target Practice (Splinters 1,2,3), Kellogg University Art Gallery Katie Stubblefield, Target Practice (Splinters 1,2,3), St. Broxville Wood: Into the Thicket, Kellogg University Art Gallery; Photo credit Sydney Walters](https://i0.wp.com/artandcakela.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/katie-stubblefield-_target-practice-splinters-123-kellogg-university-art-gallery.jpg?w=357&h=477&ssl=1)
Katie Stubblefield, Target Practice (Splinters 1,2,3), St. Broxville Wood: Into the Thicket, Kellogg University Art Gallery; Photo credit Sydney Walters