In Plain Sight
Richard Beavers Gallery, New York
September 1 - October 14, 2023
Welcome to LA Art Documents' new video dedicated to the New York art scene, this time we are taking you to The Richard Beavers Gallery, in Soho to a group exhibition featuring the works of artists Brittsense, Lynthia Edwards, Frank Morrison, DaaPo Reo, Justin Robinson, Terron Cooper Sorrells, Kayla Mahaffey, Terence Byas aka “Dredske.” The exhibit ran from September 1, 2023, to October 14, 2023.
In Plain Sight brings together a diverse selection of contemporary artists who have worked around the United States and abroad and share their distinctive perspectives on the lived experience of the black community. The exhibition highlights the experiences of the Black community and discusses how those artists are also overlooked. “In Plain Sight” brings together artists who approach their process, materials, and subject matter differently. The juxtaposition of the artists encourages conversation about our understanding of race, identity, and the systemic pressures of our time.
The Deep East Oakland artist Brittsense uses her distinctive documentary-style photography to empower the community by elevating her subjects and facets of identity. Lynthia Edwards, based in Alabama, manipulates materials in paintings, collages, and quilts to bring to life a sense of southern Black identity and what she has deemed “Black Girl Magic.”
Atlanta, Georgia-based artist Frank Morrison, is an award-winning artist whose artistic roots can be traced back to his time as a graffiti artist in New Jersey. His contribution to the exhibit, like much of his work, depicts African-American livelihood in a way that is both familiar and comforting to those who often feel histories have been forgotten and culture has been usurped.
Using textiles, Nigerian artist DaaPo Reo deconstructs the relationship between history and inherited trauma, behavior, and conditions within the Black community.
Justin Robinson, is a Brooklyn-based painter who develops his message within his paintings, giving the viewer room for interpretation. He has found inspiration in the history of his native New York.
Chicago-based Terron Cooper Sorrells transforms printmaking into elaborate figurative scenes celebrating the African-American community's past, culture, and people.
Kayla Mahaffey, a young talent from Chicago’s Southside, paints colorful figurative scenes that transport viewers to a surreal realm with her combination of acrylic paints with touches of aerosol and street art. She tackles social themes of identity and inclusion.
Terrance ‘Dred’ Dredsky’s past work included murals, digital transfers, and mixed media; his paintings for “In Plain Sight '' stress the relationship we have to culture throughout time. He takes classic paintings by art historical masters and reconceives them with black subjects or idealizes previously caricatured black figures. He uses his signature ‘remix’ stylings to distort the past, and elevate the black image.
While the works of art come alive on the gallery walls, 5,000 camouflage balloons, in a state of deflation, will consume the floor. The balloons, an inviting and approachable feature for all ages, open the art world, the lives of these artists, and the ideas they present to new audiences. While this deflated balloon forest adds a whimsical sensation to the exhibition’s environment, it carries a coded message.
“In Plain Sight” is about a community commitment to fostering a creative and supportive environment that elevates rather than dismisses young artists. Showing this cohort together highlights the impact the diverse perspectives of artists can have on an arts community and society.
RICHARD BEAVERS GALLERY, established in 2007, is a contemporary fine art gallery. Our collection primarily consists of artists whose work depicts various aspects of life in an urban environment through a multitude of genres. The artwork is inspired by the culture of these communities and addresses the many social and political issues on the forefront of society. RB Gallery aims to educate, inspire, and stir consciousness – whether you are a seasoned collector, art appreciator, or merely have an interest in art.
See more at www.richardbeaversgallery.com