Flower 04, 2025
Peter Cochrane’s interests in alchemy, experimental photographic techniques, interconnectedness, and specificity of place intersect in these prints and sculptures created for the Athenaeum.
This exhibition comprises four distinct bodies of work which weave together ideas of humanity and our place in the natural world. In researching the Athenaeum’s history to prepare for the exhibition, Cochrane focused on the history of the surrounding flora, from a majestic Torrey Pine which once stood guard at the Athenaeum’s entrance, to the species of roses Kate Sessions chose for a reading garden [in 1921] that has since been lost to history. Taking these as his starting point, he created two new series of photographic prints, burning the raw botanic materials to render these histories abstract. He expanded upon these prints with two sculptural series, showcasing our commonality with the blood-red manzanita tree, and how human innovation and mysticism has brought us to the element of lead throughout history. An undercurrent in Cochrane’s work emerges, highlighting our magical and mysterious relationship with nature, and each other.