Exploring 'New Digs' at Jordan's Jungle

Photo credits from @eastmanningprojects on Instagram

On Friday, January 18th, I had the pleasure of attending New Digs, an exciting collaboration between East Manning Projects and Jordan's Jungle, held at 545 Pawtucket Avenue in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. The showcase consisted of collection of tasteful ceramic pieces including pots, vases, and sculptures; that pair exceptionally well with the vast greenery , and of course Popeye, the parrot.

When I first entered Jordan's Jungle, I was instantly encompassed by the deep humidity that persisted within the environment. After a brief walk through the shrubbery, I made my way to the back of the space, where the humidity dissipated. I was greeted by a familiar face, Michael Rose, where we exchanged our hello's and where my journey truly began.

English Breakfast, by Rebecca Stevens

I started from right to left, and was greeted by a finely crafted glazed tea pot, accompanied by handled mug, adorned with blues and accents of luster gold. I later found out after some research while writing this article, that the piece is titled English Breakfast by RISD MFA student, Rebecca Stevens. Accordingly to her website, she derives inspiration from Ancient Greek Art and the Art Nouveau movement. From my basic understanding of both Art Nouveau movement and Greek Art, this statement is certainly prevalent in English Breakfast. The tree-like figures, flowing lines, and organic shapes embody the artistic trend gleaned from the Nouveau movement. Additionally, the dark blue color of the plants depicted in contrast with the white background, closely resembles Ancient Greek Ceramics. The symmetry displayed also has parallels between English Breakfast, and the aforementioned time period. This meshing of the two art styles, was perfectly crafted by Stevens.

The piece featured on the right, is by Boston born, multimedia artist, Jaime Rose, who currently resides in Rhode Island. Although I do not know the origin of these pieces. These were by far by favorites that were featured. Within my personal art endeavors, I enjoy featuring skulls, paired with bold colors like red. These pieces provide a sense of otherworldliness, that I really resonate to.

As I left New Digs, I couldn't help but reflect on the seamless blend of art and nature that this collaboration achieved. The carefully curated ceramics paired beautifully with the lush greenery, creating an environment that felt both grounding and inspiring. From Rebecca Stevens' masterful fusion of historical art styles to Jaime Rose's bold and otherworldly creations, the showcase offered a dynamic range of artistic expression.