C-lective Curator’s Cut:

Callan’s Bluebells in Bubble’s Garden is a delicate, vibrant celebration of nature and care. Her signature carved cardboard hands reach toward a cluster of soft bluebells, capturing a quiet moment of connection between humanity and the earth. Rising from the painted surface, the dimensional hands create a striking sense of depth, placing us in their perspective and drawing us directly into the scene. You can almost smell the fresh dew and sweet fragrance of the flowers. The hand figures are a defining feature of Callan’s practice, symbolizing love, labor, and community, inspired by her Oakland community and the people of color who built and continue to nurture it. The title suggests a personal garden, perhaps a tribute to someone dear, inviting us into a space of attention, tenderness, and joy. Sometimes the smallest flowers bring the greatest delight.