Currently on view at the @kempermuseum in Kansas City, Missouri is “Untitled #1336 (Scalapino Nu Shu),” 2009-10, a formidable apple tree covered in black sand and taxidermied peacocks, black melanistic pheasants, and a squirrel. Since 2011 this sculpture has been in the Kemper Museum of Art’s permanent collection, thanks to the vision of R. Crosby Kemper and Bebe Hunt. This sculpture is dedicated and named after the late Leslie Scalapino, who was, in addition to being an incredible poet, a very good friend. “Untitled #1336 (Scalapino Nu Shu),” 2009-10, was also influenced by an old Chinese writing technique called “Nu Shu” used by women in the Jiangyong County, often to express their feelings, due to isolation living in an extremely male-dominated society. From these “Nu Shu” letters, the women became extremely close, and their sisterly bond reminded me of Leslie’s and my correspondence. In 2010, the sculpture was shown at @massmoca in “Everything That Rises Must Converge.” Curated by Denise Markonish, this mid-career retrospective featured over 50 works. For additional information on works included in museum public collections, please visit the new Public Collections page on our website (link in bio). #petahcoyne #contemporaryart #sculpture #womenartists #kempermuseum #rcrosbykemper #bebehunt #massmoca #lesliescalapino #denisemarkonish #everythingthatrisesmustconverge