A lily-pad-filled pond. A swirling night sky. A party on a river boat. Often we think of masterpieces inspired by what’s already beautiful. But what about the stuff we often overlook? What about neon signs, storefronts and baking sheets? When arranged by Nari Ward, these forgettable items turn from trash to timeless works of art. Nari Ward’s work, currently on display at the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston, celebrates and elevates the objects that surround our everyday lives.

Guest

BONUS: Take a tour of Nari's work with us! Check out a narrated slideshow of Nari Ward's "Sun Splashed," with commentary from Ruth Erickson, associate curator at the ICA Boston.

Callie Crossley goes through the "naturalization" process at Nari Ward's Naturalization Drawing Table:

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Callie Crossley participates in Nari War's Naturalization Drawing Table at the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston. A museum worker hands her an administrative form to fill out.
Photo by Andrea Asuaje
Callie Crossley participates in Nari War's Naturalization Drawing Table at the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston. Crossley fills out the necessary form.
Photo by Andrea Asuaje
Museum workers check Callie Crossley's form as she participates in Nari Ward's Naturalization Drawing Table exhibit at the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston. The form is also notarized.
Photo by Andrea Asuaje
Callie Crossley's completed form for Nari Ward's Naturalization Drawing Table at the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston.
Photo by Andrea Asuaje
In return for the administrative form and the process, participants are awarded a set of immigration forms drawn on by Nari Ward.
Photo by Andrea Asuaje
The back of the forms given to Naturalization Drawing Table participants. Art by Nari Ward.
Photo by Andrea Asuaje
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Here's how the ICA Teens and artist Nari Ward installed his work, "We The People."