IMMERSION || Rebecca McGee Tuck & Steve De Neef

On view July 2-31, 2022
Reception July 9, 5-7pm

Immersion brings together the work of Rebecca McGee Tuck and Steve De Neef, two conservation-minded artists whose work is inextricably tied to the ocean.

Since childhood, Tuck has searched for treasures along the wrack-line. Initially drawn to seaglass and shells, her forages now center on the random bits of debris that wash ashore with the tides. Beach toys, wrecked lobster traps, bait bags, and nylon rope - almost exclusively sourced from one stretch of beach in Massachusetts - are just some of the items woven together in her colorful assemblage works. A collector of lost objects, Tuck responds to the energy and unknown history of each item she picks up. The final sculptures recall marine organisms, serving as both a call to action and a multilayered storyline of what we leave behind. Tuck regularly collaborates with conservation groups, and has exhibited in public installations, galleries, and museums throughout the Northeast.

Photographer Steve De Neef is interested in stories, particularly those that occur beneath the surface. Spanning two bodies of work, and the globe, the images on view depict singular moments within marine environments. All but one was captured while free diving– on a single breath and without oxygen tanks. De Neef’s effortless black-and-white compositions record once-in-a-lifetime encounters with large animals, captured primarily on international trips. When the pandemic halted those travels he turned his lens closer to home, focusing on the vibrant energy and cold water colors of the Gulf of Maine. In addition to his personal pursuits, De Neef often works alongside scientists, NGOs, and production companies, which have included National Geographic, Disney+, and the BBC, among many others. Through his work he hopes to inspire positive change, and increase visibility for ocean research and conservation efforts.