Cecilia Ramon deals with fear through art

Cascade
Cecilia Ramon explores and tries to deal with her own fear in her show at the Duluth Art Insitute. She lived through her native Argentina's so-called "Dirty War" in the late 1970s and early '80's and is still dealing with the psychological consequences of what happened.
MPR Photo/Stephanie Hemphill

She grew up in Argentina during the "Dirty War" in the late 1970s and early '80s. She says she was afraid for so long that it's become a way of life for her.

Ramon teaches art in Duluth now. She says she's trying to make friends with the fear that's always with her.

Cecelia Ramon
Cecilia Ramon says fear is her constant companion, but she wants to explore what there is in life besides fear.iro
MPR Photo/Stephanie Hemphill

The result is her new show at the Duluth Art Institute.

It's sculptures in rough wood, iron, and rope. She talked about her work while she was creating the central piece at the Institute. She attached long wooden slats to the walls by their ends and then formed them into arches. The pieces balance on each other delicately, making a cascade shape.

Ramon says the show explores her fear - and the way she's always working to feel safe.