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National | Philadelphia, PA | Artist-Led Tour of Chelsey Luster’s “Finding Home” Philadelphia
October 10, 2023 | 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Join ArtTable for an artist talk and exhibition tour with Chelsey Luster! Luster’s immersive solo exhibition “Finding Home” at Vox Populi Gallery tells the stories of their models’ safe spaces through mixed-media paintings, text, and film. Each model’s individual story informs the creation of these imaginative havens that come together to form a physical safe space. The exhibition acts as a place of healing for black and queer people and the respective communities. Luster highlights their identity and perspective through the luminescence of black skin with fluorescent undertones and the vibrance of queerness through shimmering overlays of glitter. Other materials, such oil and acrylic paints, fabric, glue, market on paper, wood panels, found objects, and canvas, come together to materialize these idyllic realms.
“At the beginning of my practice, I focused on self-portraiture and explored the lack of security and safety as a Queer Black woman through depictions of unsettling bathroom scenes in “The American Bathroom” series. This body of work critiqued our failed incarceration system and the unhinged violence I experienced along with others in my community through large-scale erie-colored oil paintings on wooden panels. I developed creative programming and community building with other Queer, Women, and Black-led organizations and community leaders through talks, fellowships, and residencies that allowed me to collaborate on performances and discussions on Black and Queerness with regards to self-autonomy, community discussions, and collage workshops that welcomed people of all artistic backgrounds to create work that explored identity. Through this work, I shared the universal feeling of wanting to feel safe with individuals of all backgrounds. Through the relationships formed and stories I heard during the creation of “The American Bathroom” series, I knew that our stories could not end with trauma and violence. I discovered that creating a sacred space within myself and others in my community leads to healing, peace, and safety. This inspired my current project “Finding Home.” “
Admission:
- ArtTable Members $10
- Member Guests $20
- Public $25
Not a member? Join today!
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED: PLEASE CONTACT programs@artttable.org
ArtTable is a 501.c.3 organization. All programs are non-refundable.
Image: Chelsey Luster. Luster, 20″ x 30″, 2023
Chelsey Luster is a Philadelphia-based visual artist and educator from Baltimore, Maryland. Luster’s visual art work explores the complexities of safe spaces in Queer and Black culture through mixed medium paintings and installations. Luster is a Vox Populi member and has been awarded the Mural Arts 2022 Black Artists Fellowship and the 2021 Center for Emerging Artists fellowship. Luster is the Exhibition Manager at Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens and has independently curated multiple art exhibitions with art institutions in Philadelphia including IceBox Project Space, Da Vinci Art Alliance, William Way LGBT+ Center, and the Center for Emerging Visual Artists. Luster holds a BFA in Painting and Drawing from the Temple University’s Tyler School of Art.
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ArtTable is a 501.c.3 organization and all programs are non-refundable. Should a program be postponed by ArtTable for any reason, the purchaser’s ticket will be honored for the rescheduled program. Should a program be canceled and not rescheduled, the purchaser will receive credit to be used toward a future program. Please email programs@arttable.org with any questions.