Ann Fessler's Close To Home evokes the sights and sounds of the rural Midwest, as it tells the autobiographical tale of a young girl who grew up in a river community and was later propelled—by coincidence, dreams, and fate—to the hometown of her biological mother at the headwaters of the same river. Premiering at the Bell Gallery, the multi-media installation is the latest in a series of works in which the artist addresses issues related to adoption. Fessler's greatest strength may be her ability to comment on highly personal subjects without falling into sentimentality. The videos are poignant and touching, but her intelligence, critical distance, and well-honed sense of humor save them from sentimentality.

Curated by Jo-Ann Conklin
image: installation view