Join us for an opening reception on June 13 from 5-7pm at CFEVA (237 South 18th Street, Suite 3A, Philadelphia PA 19103).
On View in the CFEVA Galleries
Visit during CFEVA’s Summer 2024 Public Hours:
June 4-29, Tuesday-Saturday 12:00-6:00 PM
Please note that CFEVA will be closed for the following holidays and events: June 6, June 19, July 4.
In CFEVA’s Felicity R. “Bebe” Benoliel Gallery:
Adam X Eve: Past, Present, & Future
A Series by Diaja
On a daily basis, we are bombarded with imagery and information that influence and shape the way we think, feel, and ultimately, the way we live. Ever since the emancipation of slaves, historically the media (Specifically focusing on the news), has been used as a tool to vilify Black Americans and create fear in its white viewers. Though present-day its racist roots are not as overt, there are plenty of signs of covert racism, biases, and stereotypes that fill what we consume from our reputable sources. Harsh headlines for certain people groups, yet headlines of empathy for their white counterparts, which often leads to sentences/treatment that suit these said headlines. Because the skin of Black/African people is often seen as a weapon, I wanted to change the narrative highlighting the Black and African diaspora as works of art to be admired and celebrated, countering the media's status quo, negative narratives, and stereotypes. I welcome you to see, feel, and experience Blackness differently.
Ceres (Diaja) is a fine art portraiture and conceptual photographer. pursued her passion at the Fashion Institute of Technology. Ceres had an equal love for photography, in which she took a course to sharpen her natural skills and educate herself on various photographic techniques.
After graduating, and working close to 7 years in the fashion industry, Ceres decided to fully dedicate herself to photography. She merged her love for fashion, painting, and photography to create a brand that would be impossible to ignore. Within 2 years of transitioning her work was recognized by Vogue Italia, Huffington Post, and numerous Fashion publications. Ceres' photography is known for storytelling through photographic series. These series’ are often inspired by current events, Black and African culture, and social disparities. Her goal as an artist is to impact others, give back to her community, and give a voice to those unheard and overlooked.
To view more of Diaja, follow @omg_diaja__ on Instagram or visit Diaja.com
On View in the CFEVA Galleries
In CFEVA’s Side Gallery: Rondo: Anesu Nyamupingidza
Rondo, the shona term for clay, a word taught to me upon inquiring about the term for ochre in my native language. Rondo is the colours of the people- all people-, the colours of their lands, the colours of their pasts and their futures. Rondo is an indicator of environmental change, from early stages of succession to the creek sides of fully grown forests in the stabilisation stage, and of constant human presence extracting and exposing elements that contribute to its richness.
This research delves into the significance of soil, ivhu, and the project is a visual representation of my field notes. Rondo is the type of soil, in all its different colours, that I managed to grind up and turn into a watercolour paint from foraged rocks. The lichens represent one of the many different ways rocky surfaces start to get broken down, as they are among early succession plants, into the soils we see today. These lichens are Lichens of the West Indies from the New York Botanical Garden’s online herbarium collection.
Visit during CFEVA’s Summer 2024 Public Hours:
June 4-29, Tuesday-Saturday 12:00-6:00 PM
Please note that CFEVA will be closed for the following holidays and events: June 6, June 19, July 4.
Open by appointment July 1-31, Tuesday-Friday. Call 215-546-7775 x13 to schedule your visit. Please allow 48 hours to confirm your appointment.