Stray Eggplant is a conceptual art project begun in 2004, by artist Laura Gentry . Because today’s technology makes information so readily available to us, we are inundated with it. Words fly at us from just about everywhere. Often, this information is contextless and difficult to process. The Stray Eggplant project invites viewers to look differently at the whirl of random words that fill our existence—to contemplate our personal responsibility to interpret this deluge of information and find focus, meaning and hope to sustain us in this journey. Stray Eggplant is made up of small ceramic sculptures which are sold throughout the country in Art*o*mat vending machines and directly to consumers at The Gentry Joint Web Store for just $10. Each unique, hand-made sculpture contains a random phrase from our postmodern culture, pulled out of context and emblazoned upon a whimsical vegetable, the quote can be interpreted in any number of ways. The viewer, then, becomes the meaning-maker. To explore this concept, each eggplant owner is invited to send a photo and response to Laura Gentry at P.O. Box 11, Marquette, IA 52158, e-mail to [email protected] .
Here is Laura with her sixth edition of eggplants, completed in February 2007.
This photo is of the set of the Rachel Ray show. A Stray Eggplant was featured in a segment about Art*o*mat.
Below is a slideshow of the owners who have sent in their eggplant pictures. Read more about these fabulous eggplant owners at the Eggplant Gallery .
Visit The Gentry Joint to see more unconventional art projects by the Gentrys.
Laura has produced Laughter Friends: A Laughter Yoga Workout for Kids. Click here to visit the Laughter Friends Web site.
The amazing eggplant photograph that provides the backdrop for this page was taken by Kyoko. Visit her profile page at: www.myspace.com/frizzy_mojaco