The Ladd Brothers: Mary Queen of the Universe

By Ashley Knight

Last December, the Miami Dade College’s (MDC) Museum of Art + Design (MOA+D) presents “Mary Queen of the Universe,” a solo exhibition of works by New York based-artists Steven and William Ladd. Since 2000, the Ladd Brothers have collaborated on works of art that represent their shared memories. They developed their creative partnership after working individually as clothing and jewelry designers. The Ladds have explored the blurred boundaries between design and fashion, fine art and craft, not taking the ordinary path to success as artists, their crossover from design and couture into the creation of art objects has happened organically.

Steven and William Ladd. Photo Credit: Nick Lee

Their creative process is firmly rooted in their collective experiences and memories, as they reflect, “Before we are artists, we are brothers. We are based in New York City, but our large, loving Midwestern family is at the heart of our values and our work. Our art has evolved from meticulously hand-crafted fashion accessories to abstract portraits of shared memories, places, people and experiences. In them, we transform everyday materials, such as belting textiles, used fabric, beads, metal trinkets or paper, into works of art. We share a passion for recycling. We collaborate with glassmakers. We love to sew, bead, brainstorm and draw.”¹

“Steven and William Ladd: Mary Queen of the Universe,” installation view. Parrish Art Museum. Water Mill, NY.

“Mary Queen of the Universe” was organized by the Parrish Art Museum in the Hamptons, NY, and curated by Terrie Sultan. It explores their shared memories from their St. Louis, Missouri Catholic grade school. “It is a deeply personal show,” says Steven. The exhibition gathers towers, mini maquettes, books, drawings, and prints, which took four years to create. Their signature hand sewn boxes contain meticulously constructed environments, most of them made with soft materials acquired from an old Brooklyn belt factory. When closed and stacked, the boxes become sculptural towers, majestic works of art, at rest until the towers are dismantled and contents revealed. It is often through a rhythmic and choreographed performance that the brothers open the boxes and arrange them in their own personal landscape formation.

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“Steven and William Ladd: Mary Queen of the Universe,” installation view. Parrish Art Museum. Water Mill, NY.

Their values-spend your life doing what you love, be focused and disciplined, collaborate-are embedded in their work, and indeed, their enthusiasm for life is viral. In 2006, Steven and William began working with children to use recycled materials to make art. Since then, they have led more than fifty projects internationally. Initially, these programs involved school children in creating scrolls-tightly coiled strips of fabric secured with pins-from recycled materials. Over time, this project they called Scrollathon developed into a series of workshops between the artists and a wide range of participants. As part of “Mary Queen of the Universe,” Scrollathon has been brought to the Miami area, working with 1,000 school children and disabled adults.

“Mary Queen of the Universe” is on view through March 27. The Ladd Brothers will be launching their special Miami edition of Scrollathon from February 22 to March 6. A public lecture and conversation with Steven and William about the Scrollathon and current exhibition will take place on Saturday, February 27 at 1 p.m., at the MDC Museum of Art + Design. Freedom Tower. 600 Biscayne Blvd Miami, Florida 33132 / Phone: 305 237 7700 / www.mdcmoad.org

Notes

1. Excerpt from Steven and William Ladd’s statement. http://www.stevenandwilliam.com/artist-statement/

Ashley Knight is an arts writer based in Miami.