February 2 through June 29, 2024

Informed by ecological concerns, Nancy Macko’s work with botanical specimens and her examination of the lives of bees remind us how fragile our ecosystem is. For four decades, Nancy Macko has drawn upon images of the honeybee society to explore the relationships between art and science – specifically evolution and ecology. Her current research includes documenting native bee-attracting flora, beginning in Southern California and branching out to the northeast and the high elevation area of the Rocky Mountains. Photographing flora using a macro lens, Macko reveals fascinating features concealed within these beautiful specimens and captures all manifestations of the life cycle from bud to bloom to seed. She combines elements of printmaking, digital media, photography, video, and installation to create a unique visual language. This combination of media allows her to examine and respond to issues related to eco-feminism, nature, and the importance of ancient matriarchal cultures. With a strong desire to promote equality for women, the artist connects the plight of the bee with an environmental and socio-political call to action rooted in feminism. “The bees are a symptom and a sign of much deeper and broader problems in our environment. How we treat the bees is symptomatic of how many women and children are treated around the globe,” said Macko.

Originally from New York, Macko received her undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin and her graduate degrees from the University of California, Berkeley, with a concentration in painting and printmaking. She has been a practicing artist since the early 1980’s, producing over thirty solo exhibitions and participating in over 150 exhibitions both nationally and abroad. She has received more than 30 research and achievement awards or her art. She has traveled extensively and has had highly productive artist residencies at the Banff Centre for the Arts in Canada and the Musee d’Pont Aven in Brittany, France. Her work is in numerous public collections including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, UCLA Hammer Museum, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Mount Holyoke College Museum of Art, New York Public Library, North Dakota Museum of Art, Portland Art Museum and the RISD Museum of Art.

“The Fragile Bee” is Presented by Robins Financial Credit Union.

“Robins Financial Credit Union is pleased to support The Fragile Bee exhibition, hosted by the Museum of Arts and Sciences. This an innovative initiative is aimed at educating the community about the critical role that bees play in our ecosystem. Bees are essential pollinators and their population has been facing significant challenges due to various environmental factors. This exhibition will raise awareness about the importance of preserving bee populations and their habitat. Financial support of this project reflects our commitment to corporate social responsibility and our dedication to making a positive impact on the communities we serve,” says Christol Clymer, Marketing Manager at Robins Financial Credit Union. “We believe that by supporting educational initiatives like the Fragile Bee Exhibition, we can help build a more environmentally aware and responsible community.”