Lily Cox-Richard: Disquiet in the Sand

Lily Cox-Richard’s solo exhibition Disquiet in the Sand presents a newly commissioned body of work that examines how land serves as both a witness and a guide amid our current global crises. This exhibition invites viewers to engage deeply with sites marked by profound human transformation, listening for messages that resonate through the earth.

At the heart of Disquiet in the Sand is the artist’s expansive use of material as medium, as they explore glass as both a material and a conduit. The exhibition features a series of multicolored scrying mirrors, creating a vibrant and immersive constellation within the ICA’s True Farr Luck Gallery. These glassworks act as lenses, reflecting and refracting light while inviting viewers to look deeper. Both the glass and the artist’s body serve as physical and spiritual conduits, with the installation activated by the shifting natural light in the gallery, fostering ongoing dialogue with the messages emanating from the land.

Cox-Richard draws on their dedication to divination, ritual, and deep listening to explore the intersections of history, spirituality, and presence. Their practice is rooted in uncovering paths of resistance and understanding the narratives embedded in the land. A key aspect of this project involves the exploration of infradian rhythms and somatic cycles, particularly the influence of lunar phases on our bodies and interactions with the environment. Through their own experiences, the artist embraces the wisdom that comes with time, inviting viewers to reflect on how our connections to place evolve and how listening can become a lifelong commitment.

Central to the exhibition is the ancient practice of scrying—gazing into reflective surfaces for insight, particularly through glass. Cox-Richard has undertaken repeated visits to White Sands, New Mexico, during full moon cycles, conducting rituals that inform the charged objects in the exhibition. These scrying mirrors, cast from impressions made in the sand during rituals, serve both as artifacts and as catalysts for interpretation. The artist’s fascination with White Sands is driven by their interest in sites that have undergone significant damage and transformation through tourism and other pervasive economies, in particular activities conducted by the U.S. military.

While Cox-Richard interprets these messages, the exhibition also embraces collective engagement, inviting co-conspirators, witches, and mediums to join in the scrying process. This collaborative approach encourages viewers to partake in interpretation and foster a shared understanding of land stewardship, and a shared respect for the wisdom that accumulates in place. Disquiet in the Sand stands as a testament to the importance of reflection and connection, urging us to honor the land and seek guidance through ritual and community.

Lily Cox-Richard: Disquiet in the Sand is curated by Amber Esseiva, acting senior curator of the ICA.

Click here to listen to a conversation with the artist.

The exhibition’s presentation at the ICA at VCU is made possible by generous support from:

Nancy Graves Foundation

Margaret Lewis
VCU Foundation

Ashley Kistler