The exhibition “Home Bodies” at Brattleboro Museum & Art Center showcases the contrasting yet complementary works of Fawn Krieger and David B. Smith. Both New York City-based artists explore textures and colors through their unique styles. Krieger’s sculptures consist of glazed clay modules embedded in concrete, resulting in modestly sized geometric forms clustered on thick slabs. These structures evoke midcentury home decor while hinting at organic materials through their textured grout and pigment-filled lines.

In contrast, Smith employs found and custom fabrics to create vibrant tapestries and soft sculptures that celebrate a nostalgic, childlike aesthetic drawing from the early ’90s. His work, rich in neon colors and diverse patterns, invites viewers into a chaotic yet cohesive exploration of domesticity as seen in drapery and quilts.

The title “Home Bodies” reflects the theme of domesticity, particularly evident in Smith’s pieces. His designs often include playful, cartoonish elements, while Krieger’s modules subtly reference household items. Both artists engage with scale in captivating ways: Smith’s large tapestries encourage distance for overall appreciation, while Krieger’s intricate works demand close inspection for their nuanced details.

The exhibition emerged from pandemic isolation, prompting reflections on home as a space for reinvention. Smith’s playful compositions, like “Quilt,” echo familial nostalgia through grid structures resembling quilts, while Krieger’s work plays with the unpredictability of her materials, blending order with chaos. Overall, “Home Bodies” serves as a lighthearted dialogue between two distinct approaches to process and materiality, inviting reflection on the familiar yet transformed.