Elijah Ober’s solo exhibition brings together two ongoing bodies of work that center the lives of two species often regarded as pests—snails and squirrels. Ober engaging works centered on these creatures uncovers information about the lands on which we reside and the ways we utilize and relate to ecosystems and resources.
CALCIUM presents two digitally animated videos depicting snails hunting for a key shell-health supplement: calcium. Inspired by a small snail crawling up his leg while in his 3rd floor studio, Ober became fascinated by the tenacity of this small creature. Through imaginary narratives, he explores their translucence and mutability, their hermaphroditic power, and their alchemical shell building.
Your Future Ex Squirrelfriend is a collection of carved Styrofoam squirrels. While observing squirrels in his yard, Ober found in them a rich source of intrigue. He noticed their overlooked physical grace and their school-like behavior, appearing and disappearing like a hypervigilant superorganism. For Ober, these small creatures embody many dichotomies. They are brave and fierce, yet soft and small. They are cute, yet disdained by many. These sculptures show them in their most self-aware state: playful, diligent, caring, and mischievous.
Elijah Ober is a sculptor and animator based in Maine. He studied Art and Anthropology at Bowdoin College. He has attended residencies at the Ellis-Beauregard Foundation, Monson Arts, and Gardenship (New Jersey). His work has recently been shown at the Portland Museum of Art, Cove Street Arts, Elizabeth Moss Galleries, and New System Exhibitions, and was featured in CMCA’s 2020 Biennial. Elijah is the recipient of a 2021 Maine Arts Commission Project Grant.
The artist received funding to support the creation of these bodies of work from the Maine Arts Commission, an independent state agency supported by the National Endowment for the Arts.
CMCA’s exhibition program is made possible in part by a grant from the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts with additional support from individual donors and members.
A special thank you to Scott Stuart for his assistance to the artist in fabricating elements for the exhibition.
A special thank you to Annie Bailey, Hannah Berta, Emily Fitzpatrick, Isabel Gimlewicz, Luke Myers, Seth Richardson, and Vincente Weber for their installation expertise in making this exhibition possible.
Press
Two Alumni Artists Have Simultaneous Shows at Rockland Museum – Bowdoin News, October 2022
Each of Four Fall Shows Worth a Visit to CMCA – Portland Press Herald, November 2022
Videos
Artist Dialogue| Elijah Ober + Rachel Romanski – January 7, 2023