According to Flat Rock sculptor David Macvaugh, connection requires vulnerability — “and vulnerability,” he says, “is utterly terrifying.” His new installation, Breast Story, explores what happens when we face those fears and allow ourselves to be seen and heard. “When I speak out loud and share my burdens to another human, we realize our shared humanity,” he explains. “The burden is lessened, and the deeply desired connection is made.” Opening on June 6 at Studio 116 in Henderson County, the show features hand-sculpted forms inspired by the breast — not as a symbol of sexuality, but as a gateway to connection. “The human heart is directly beneath the breast,” Macvaugh says, “and, in many ways, serves as a kind of docking station between humans and the divine.” A longtime woodworker, the artist pairs native North Carolina woods — red and white oak, ambrosia maple, sycamore, and ash — with porcelain slip-casts. Also included in the installation are more than 40 anonymous stories shared by community members, each reflecting on the breast’s role in their lives. “The stories are rich and full of emotion — joy, sadness, reflection, warmth, and, frequently, a sense of the bittersweetness of life,” he says. “I am deeply indebted to all who opened their hearts to me in this way.”
Breast Story: June 6-28; Opening Reception: June 6, 6-8pm
Studio 116 / 116 West Blue Ridge Rd., East Flat Rock / studio116nc.com