Tidewater Community College, in collaboration with the CAN Foundation, presents, A Look Within, a multidisciplinary group exhibition that explores themes of self reflection, growth, and inward change. The exhibit features the work of thirteen of the CAN Foundation’s CANtemporary workshop participants who developed the concept for their culminating show during their time together in a three month collaborative artist development process. 2D and 3D works in addition to a short film delving into introspective concepts will be on view from August 21st through November 22, 2023.
Rain D. Spann
A Soul's Dreamscape
Mixed Media Oil Painting
2023
A Soul's Dreamscape is a multi-medium artwork that delves into introspection through an intricate process of layering, painting, and drawing. The surreal atmosphere, adorned with flourishing vegetation and melting caverns, symbolizes vitality and transformation. Just as the organs in our bodily systems intertwine and work together, these elements in the artwork are interconnected. They depict how we flourish from the inside-out, with different aspects of our being looking inward & outward for self-discovery.
Zag Man
Desert Siren/New Chapter
Pen and Ink
2023
The piece titled Desert Siren interplays symbolism from mythology with modern imagery creating a surreal landscape. The stippling technique used creates a meditative piece that illustrates variation in shading and shadows.
The piece titled New Chapter utilizes symbolism to illustrate a self-reflective piece of the new stage in the artist's life. Most prominently is the wreath that encapsulates and weaves the different reference symbols.
MarieAnn E. Fluker
Lady Eleanour
Fiber
2023
“Lady Eleaunor is a self-reflection piece made of scrap fabrics. She was herself then and here she is today. Lady Eleaunor reminds us that there is nothing to waste. All is useful and all is valuable. Including the self. It’s an honest look at how I have been sewing and connecting all the layers of my past and present creativity.”
- MarieAnn E. Fluker
Will Grace
In The Great Historic World Night
Mixed Media (46 photographs and collages individually framed)
2023
The work, ‘In the Historic World Night’, is a play on the beatific travels of Jack Kerouac. The intention when creating this piece was to invite the viewer into the artists life, providing them with the context to create a narrative and an opportunity to reflect upon their own experiences.
Composed of photographs (found and made), collages, and drawings, this work asks viewers to travel with the artist as he unpacks his histories. Making their way east and west across the terrain of the piece, the viewer develops a pace as they zigzag through the landscape and discover new pathways through previously experienced works.
Bogdana Voitenko
5 Onions
20 Avocado Pits
137 Black Beans
Textile
2023
All three pieces are manifesting, reusing, and upcycling. Organic kitchen waste was collected by the artist at the local restaurants in downtown Norfolk and turned into a natural dye in order to create these compositions. Dye materials collected thanks to Sanctuary (109 Addison St, Norfolk, VA 23510) and Cure Coffeehouse (503 Botetourt St, Norfolk, VA 23510)
Dathan Kane
SURVEY
Acrylic on Canvas
2023
Dathan Kane, also known professionally as dkane, is a prolific artist and muralist who creates paintings of organic black and white abstract shapes in bold compositions.
These contrasting and amorphous forms emphasize the nature of duality present in the world. Kane uses these abstractions to narrate internal thoughts and conflicts that dictate the choices we make in life.
Markis Bowers-Dunlap
Path to Self-Discovery
Acrylic on canvas
2023
This piece illustrates a maze or map of the lifelong journey of self-discovery. In a layout of abstract shapes and hidden imagery, the painting shows numerous color palettes of all different shades interacting, with no color repeating itself. The shapes are used to illustrate the highs and lows of life throughout your journey and the perseverance to push through. The relationships between colors and shapes demonstrate the different feelings and emotions one will experience while on their journey.
Hemadri Modi
Eye to I
Glass mirror, wood, bindis (velvet)
2023
In Eye to I, at the heart of the artwork lies the pupil, composed of approximately 5,000 individually placed Bindis. Surrounding the pupil, the outer edge of the artwork is crafted using broken glass, painted wood, and Indian tiles. These materials signify the blend of cultures within the artist’s own identity and stand as a testament to the varied influences that shape a person's identity.
The use of Bindis represents the rituals of women in South Asian households. At night, the Bindis are carefully stored on the women’s personal mirrors for re-use, symbolizing the intimate connection women have with their cultural identity. The morning routine of placing the Bindi over the Third Eye after washing their faces emphasizes the inherent link between cultural heritage and a woman's sense of self. The mirror becomes a metaphor for societal reflection, representing the responsibilities and expectations placed upon Indian women.
The artist prompts the audience to question the significance of the Bindi beyond its aesthetic appeal, urging them to recognize the depth of its representation and the multifaceted identity of women who wear it.
Jaida Garrison
Flowing Metamorphosis
Papier-mâché, foam, clay, cardboard
2023
“Emerging gracefully from the tranquil reflecting pool, she experiences a profound metamorphosis. Like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon, she leaves her past behind and embraces a newfound sense of self. The flowing water symbolizes the power of emotions and intuition, transforming her being. Having spent meaningful moments submerged, she now gazes back, gaining a deeper understanding of herself and envisioning the path that lies ahead.”
- Jaida Garrison
Hemadri Modi
God is the Space Between I (left)
God is the Space Between II (right)
Handmade paint (made from the powder used in India for celebrations and holidays), acrylic, graphite, alcohol ink, oil pastel
2023
In these works, Modi uses layered colors and textures to illustrate depth and dimension, creating a void that invokes a sense of the infinite within its confines. This space, neither wholly terrestrial nor celestial, represents the omnipresence of the divine-- the God that exists in the spaces in between, permeating all layers of existence.
Modi invites the viewer to contemplate their place in the universe, the nature of divinity, and the interconnectedness of all things.
No Idols
A True Painter I
A True Painter II
A True Painter III
Mixed Media Painting
2023
In the series, A True Painter, Raekwon Sunley, known as No Idols, creates self-portraits that blur the line between his worlds as a fine artist and his painting business Sunley Custom Painting LLC, to which he is the CEO.
Amber Pierce
To Be Loved is To Be Changed
Ceramics
2023
“My material investigation has led me to the bringing together of ceramics and fibers. The dichotomy of hard and soft materials really speaks to my own journey with vulnerability and boundaries, passivity and assertiveness. By casting discarded stuffies, I am memorializing a moment in time as well as further exploring the relationship between fibers and clay. I am thinking about the ways that we become forever changed through vulnerability and given a new life through changing form. These recognizable objects reference overly-loved on stuffed animals: and while they become disheveled and deformed, they are the result of childhood innocence and pure intention.”
- Amber Pierce
Matthew S. Pierce
Multipurpose Center – Blood and Water
Acrylic
2023
“Both of my parents are pastors, and I made a video to celebrate their 32nd pastoral anniversary. Our church photographer Marvin Anderson emailed me a few of his photographs to be used in the video. This painting was inspired by one of the photos in our multi-purpose center. The original photo was taken approximately 20 years ago when I was only 8 years old. On the left: Steven Pierce (my dad), in the middle: a man I don’t know, and on the right: Bobby Rudd (my grandpa). At the time this painting was started my Grandpa was still with us. Painting started on April 1, 2023 / Papa Bobby passed away on June 24, 2023 / and the painting was finished on July 26, 2023. It was a very cathartic experience completing this piece to say the least. My dad and Grandpa are a part of me, and I feel privileged to honor them in this painting. When I look within, I am all of those who have come before me. I am my lineage.”
- Matthew S. Pierce
To A Familiar Stranger
Short film by Jadea Knight
Produced by Tremaine Etheridge, of Phond Films
2023
“To A Familiar Stranger is a short film that delves into the journey of self- transformation and the shifts that manifest within oneself over time. New transitions arising while old transitions gradually fade away, is a continuous cycle that we all experience and will for the rest of our lives. Although we remember our past selves and past experiences, we no longer feel as connected to them as we once did, almost feeling like a familiar stranger. The idea of the film resonates with me, as I have witnessed a significant shift within myself from an individualistic perspective to one that values connection and community, particularly among women.”
- Jadea Knight
Amber Pierce
Overflow
Ceramics
2023
“When looking within, I am drawn to the sounds of running water when needing internal balancing. I have noticed that metaphors of water and what it carries are themes I revisit within my art regularly. With this fountain, I am specifically thinking of water as a form of energy. As it outpours from the cupped hands, the water empowers affirmations of the fruits of the spirit which are illustrated onto the body of the fountain. By meditating on gentleness, peace, love, kindness, and self-control with the sound of running water, my hope is that these things are abundantly manifested within us.”
-Amber Pierce
Curator’s Statement
As the first exhibition in our new location in Downtown Norfolk for the Visual Arts and Design Center, it was important to me to spotlight artists working in Hampton Roads and establish TCC as an institution that fosters opportunities for the arts both for our students and the arts community-at-large.
The partnership with the CAN Foundation was a natural fit, allowing our students and community an opportunity to tap into CAN’s active and engaging network of artists and programs. Their goal to support artists and creatives in Hampton Roads with opportunities for growth, networking, and community building aligns with what our institution represents. TCC’s tagline, ‘from here, go anywhere,’ emphasizes the college as a starting or transition point for its students– but we are also a community, a place where people from all walks of life can come together to learn and grow through shared interests and a desire to better themselves.
In this exhibition, viewers will see how this group of artists, from all different stages of their career, working in a variety of visual media, have come together to create a dialogue in conversation with each other. The theme of self-reflection is unified through artwork that explores community, legacy, self determination, self image, spirituality, sustainability, as well as mental and physical transformation.
Leslie Mounaime, TCC Curator and Programming Specialist
About the CAN Foundation
Based in Newport News, Virginia, the mission of the CAN Foundation is to build sustainable careers for the creative class through artist development, arts education, and public art projects.
Artist Development: The CAN Foundation works closely with artists in the development of their craft and careers. Through residency, mentorship, critiques, education, client development and management, we provide artists with the tools to build a foundation for sustainable art careers.
Arts Education: We seek to advance multidisciplinary arts education through our integrative learning programs, covering art history, art business, art making, collection building, and more.
Public Art Projects: The Foundation works with municipalities, corporations, and community groups to bring public art projects and immersive arts events to underserved and developing areas.
About TCC Visual Arts and Design Center
TCC Visual Arts and Design Center is committed to bring engaging and thought provoking exhibitions to the TCC and Downtown Norfolk through their gallery spaces. The galleries provide students with opportunities to connect to the larger Hampton Roads art community through exhibitions and related exhibition programming.
For more information about this exhibition or gallery inquiries: please contact Curator Leslie Mounaime: lmounaime@tcc.edu.
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