Afterlife: Bodies

For artist Michael Watson, rice is a staple in both his work and upbringing. In his Filipino-American home, rice was one of the commonalities he shared with his relatives and ancestors halfway across the world. The subject of Watson’s rice works is one of dispersed organic matter, yet it remains grounded in real-world and spiritual applications as an integral part of sustenance, celebration, and mourning across cultures.

On the occasion of the exhibition Afterlife: Bodies, Watson sat with Pastor Jared R. Stahler, Executive Director of the Arts and Architecture Conservancy at Saint Peter's to discuss the current exhibition and evolution of the artist's "burn works." Touching on mortality, spirituality, performance art, and sustainability, this conversation draws attention to a vibrant artistic discourse of the Afterlife series.