Language of the Land
Bernice Ficek-Swenson
February 18 – March 7, 2025
Reception: February 21, 5-7pm

Strata Gallery presents Minneapolis, MN based artist, Bernice Ficek-Swenson’s solo exhibition, Language of the Land that coincides with the opening of Strata’s new gallery space at 125 Lincoln Ave, Suite 111. Her exhibition opens February 18th with a reception on Friday, February 21st from 5-7pm and a gallery talk at 6pm.

Ficek-Swenson photographs stones as a metaphor suggesting deep time and a human presence within the landscape. Her recent photographs and installations incorporate fragments of written observations and contemplations about each site she has visited, creating an interplay between the physical geography and the geographies of the mind and spirit. Land retains memories. Many of these stones represent places of historic, political or spiritual relevance. 

Bernice has stated, “I’m very pleased to be part of Strata Gallery and to have an extended involvement with the Santa Fe community. I’ve had wonderful opportunities to exhibit in the SW including Albuquerque, Denver and Scottsdale. This is my first solo exhibition in Santa Fe. In this exhibit I encourage conversation about environmental concerns.”

Strata Gallery is open from 11 am to 5 pm Tuesday – Saturday. For more information about Strata Gallery, the current exhibit, and the future schedule of events, please visit the Strata Gallery website and Instagram.

Bernice Ficek-Swenson, Oxidize (detail), 10"x 27", Archival pigment print

Bernice Ficek-Swenson, Here Now There Then - Mississippi River, 20"x16", Color photogravure

Bernice Ficek-Swenson, The Stone Remembers - Mora River (detail), 18"x13", Archival pigment print

Bernice Ficek-Swenson, Terra Offerings - Migration (detail), 14"x11", Archival pigment print