Rachel Portesi, “The Nature of Things”

Artist Talk – Thursday, September 18, from 5 to 6 p.m.
Gallery Reception – Thursday, September 18, from 6 to 7 p.m.

Artist Talk on Sept. 18, 5-6PM in Cheray 101 followed by a gallery reception from 6-7PM in the McCarthy Arts Center.

Photographer Rachel Portesi explores mushrooms as symbols of mortality, regeneration, and interconnectedness, using early photographic methods, time-lapse imagery, AI, and fungi. Mycelium networks, which resemble our nervous system, connect plant life and share resources, echoing how she imagined the world as a child—with invisible threads connecting us and all living things. Mushrooms heal—absorbing toxins, aiding biodegradation, and serving as medicine across cultures. Through mycology and art, she reflects on how understanding these fungal networks invites us to reconnect—with nature, with each other, and with a more compassionate way of seeing.

This exhibition is guest curated by Prof. Jordan Douglas.