BJ Appelgren

Thousands of young Americans roamed Europe in the 1970s seeking spiritual truth and sustainable alternatives to a culture of growing materialism. Artist BJ Appelgren describes her yearlong quest at Sherborne, an esoteric school in England run by philosopher J.G. Bennett. The students practiced spiritual exercises from both East and West, including self-observation, decision training, sacred movements, cosmology, and meditations. In their fourteen-hour days, they also grew food and maintained the huge estate that housed the school. Sunny Side Up offers a portrayal of perplexing yet rich lessons, personal failures and triumphs, as well as humorous good will. These are characteristics recognizable to all seekers who have looked for love and answers from others, later understood to be found only within.