A groundbreaking exploration of the paradoxes inherent in the human experience drawing from themes in Milan Kundera’s novel, “The Unbearable Lightness of Being,” Lightness & Weight will feature three new sound and sculptural installations that explore the complexities and dualities of the human condition. The exhibition will include a variety of non-traditional materials including cast iron, tulle, artificial hair, glass, smoke, video, and sound.

Byrnes, a sculptor and audio producer who most often uses her work to challenge and reflect on the burdens of sexism and the resilience of the female body, will launch a companion podcast series featuring interviews with women artists across various media and backgrounds. Created through a new partnership between The Co and WYSO 91.3 FM, the flagship National Public Radio (NPR) member station for the region, the podcast will provide an important platform for female voices in the arts, fostering dialogue and community engagement.

Byrnes is a Cincinnati-based visual artist whose diverse body of work spans sculpture, multimedia installation, radio broadcasts, writing, and curatorial projects. Her work has been exhibited in galleries and museums across the Midwest, including the Korean Cultural Center of Chicago, the Dayton Art Institute, and the Weston Gallery, Cincinnati.