Do you ever feel inevitably connected—to the world, to the plants around you, to the flow of life itself? Or wonder if the nervous system mirrors the veins of a leaf, or feel the brain’s sense of an urgent need to understand everything—not just to choose, but to witness how through every action we not only carve a place of history for ourselves, but the ecosystem around us?
The Mary Ed McCoy Hall Gallery presents its first photography exhibition of the academic year, showcasing the work of Murray State faculty members Kate S. He, professor of plant ecology, and Cintia Segovia Figueroa, professor of photography. The two professors bring together distinct perspectives in a collaborative project that highlights both the biological and cultural dimensions of nature. He captures ecosystems and natural landscapes, while Figueroa explores themes of cultural identity and migration through photography.
Together, their work underscores the importance of protecting both the natural and cultural foundations of America and fosters a sense of educational and informed connectedness within the community.
Upon receiving a competitive grant funded by the Kentucky Arts Council and the Kentucky Historical Society in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, the two collaborators set out to explore what it means to commemorate a nation’s milestone birthday. In doing so, they emphasized the importance of reflecting on environmental and sociological changes that shape both personal and collective identity.
The exhibition grew out of the professors’ shared interest in examining the intersections of science and art. By chance, or perhaps by the laws of determinism, the collaboration began during a previous photography course, where they discovered how their individual approaches could complement one another. By their perspectives, the duo created a body of work that encourages viewers to think critically about the relationships between humans and nature.
Beyond their complementary approaches, the exhibition engages with historical narratives, showing how both the natural world and human communities have been shaped over time, particularly in western Kentucky. When Murray State faced extreme weather during the 2021 ice storm, He found beauty in capturing how art prevails against human disruption and emphasized the importance of persevering and protecting the area.
He said she wanted the exhibition to promote reflection and emphasize the idea that in order for America to truly celebrate and understand its history—and evolve its present—it must first reflect upon its damages, which can be illuminated and aestheticized through her photography.
Figueroa said she hoped for a humanistic perspective.
“I hope this exhibition encourages individuals to be curious about who they are and where they come from, and how people, communities and the environment are interconnected,” Figueroa said.
One of Figueroa’s photographs depicts a small Almo family in Calloway County, who have lived in the area for four generations. Through her lens, the exhibition shows how their daily lives and connections to the land reflect broader cultural and historical shifts in western Kentucky, highlighting the ways communities adapt while preserving their heritage.
The exhibition is on display until Wednesday, Sept. 17, on the sixth floor of the Price Doyle Fine Arts building.
For more information on how through connection, reflection and friendship can inspire the mind and produce a beautiful embodiment of work, the reception will be hosted from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 2.