Made possible by an Art Exhibition (Curatorial) Grant from the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities.

Resilience and Uncertainty brings together the work of six (6) contemporary artists from Washington, DC and New York City whose works shows us how essential art can be in overcoming adversity and difficult times. Working in printmaking, textiles, photography, ceramic installation and painting, their work addresses notions of resilience and uncertainty, both in the Caribbean and the United States. 

Artists:

Felix Angel, Dominie Nash, Eric Finzi, Patricia Encarnacion, Mildor Chevalier, Ezequiel Taveras

Exhibition:

This exhibition presents how these six artists from different generations and cultural backgrounds are coping with the turbulent times we are all experiencing since early 2020. They have overcome adversity and inner conflict, channeling these trials into amazing works of art. The selection of works exemplifies how the artists have turned the uncertainty of recent times into an incredibly prolific creative period. These works pay attention to the richness and variety of technical, conceptual and personal styles that each artist brings to the exploration of the exhibition’s theme in their chosen medium. 

The exhibition includes two printmaking wall installations consisting of a selection of linoleum prints by seasoned artist, curator, and writer Felix Angel, selected from more than 200 prints he created to illustrate his most recent novel, just published by Tragaluz Editores in Colombia. The photocollages of Patricia Encarnacion will be in dialogue with the textile art of another veteran Washington artist, Dominie Nash. They both create narratives surrounding experiences with the lushness of nature, where the leaf motive is central, but arriving from different perspectives, thus triggering opposite readings.

Ezequiel Taveras’ installations made from ceramics, rope and metal are strong and crumbly at once. Taveras suggests that the heart is as ancient, stout and brittle as uncertainty and resilience themselves. The language of contemporary painting is explored in the works of the painter and illustrator Mildor Chevalier and the artist and scientist Eric Finzi, with their striking and contrasting visual surface solutions of oil on panel and epoxy resin paintings. These two painters each represent a fresh approach to their discipline. This group of artists will present a coherent and inspiring collection of thought provoking works of art to remind us of the power of art to overcome adversity and achieve resilience.

PUBLIC PROGRAMMING

Photo identification is required to enter the building. All persons must wear a mask at all times while indoors.

Exhibition Opening

Friday, February 25, 6-8 pm

Exhibition guided tour with curator and artists

Friday, March 4, 5-7 pm

Virtual poetry reading exploring the theme of the exhibition

Saturday, March 5, 2-4 pm

Non-toxic Printmaking Monotype workshop with Julio Valdez

Thursday, March 31, 3-5 pm

Closing Reception

Thursday, April 14, 6-8 pm

With music performance of “The Year of Seeing Clearly” by DC musician Eric Maring

ABOUT THE COMMISSION

The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (CAH) is an independent agency within the District of Columbia government that evaluates and initiates action on matters relating to the arts and humanities and encourages the development of programs that promote progress in the arts and humanities. As the official arts agency for Washington, DC, CAH is supported by District government funds and in part by the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.

ABOUT THE CURATOR

Julio Valdez has lived in Washington, DC since 2006.

As a curator, Valdez believes that exhibitions can help create community around people’s contemporary lived experience. Valdez is a painter, printmaker, teacher and mixed-media installation artist. Valdez was part of the representation of the Dominican Republic pavilion at the 58th Venice Biennial in 2019. He has presented 33 solo exhibitions and hundreds of group shows, biennials and related educational programs nationally and internationally. 

Valdez has worked in many projects internationally as well as in several US locations, including New York, Connecticut, Philadelphia, Miami, Seattle, Los Angeles and Washington, DC. A new museum exhibition is scheduled for Spring 2022 at the Art Museum of the Americas, Organization of American States (OAS) in Washington, DC.