Passing:
The Evidence
of Things Not Seen/Part 3



Crystal Z. Campbell works with materials and transforms them through labor-intensive processes or juxtaposition. Campbell’s African-American, Filipina and Chinese ancestry inform her ongoing interest in the narrative of absence. She works with photography, sculpture, drawing, video and site-specific installations.

In her installation at Project Row Houses, Passing: The Evidence of Things Not Seen/ Part 3 (2010) is a site-specific installation dedicated to Campbell’s recently deceased grandmother and uncle. The concept of death or that of “passing” extends beyond cultural boundaries and refers closely to moving from a physical existence to an immaterial or spirit existence. Both the interior and exterior of her installation are activated by simple yet powerful interventions. The installation is part memorial and part imaginary conversation with the spirit realm using tarnished earrings, bobby pins and yard tools from the departed. During the day, the house retains its original façade of chipped white paint. At night, the house’s exterior physically transforms into a supernatural façade that emits a curious glow.








Crystal Z. Campbell, originally from Oklahoma, is currently a third-year Master of Fine Arts (MFA) Candidate in Visual Arts at the University of California-San Diego. She was am artist-in-residence at the New Children’s Museum in San Diego, Vermont Studio Center and NES Artist Residency in Skagaströnd, Iceland. In 2003, She was a participant in the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture Residency.

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