Light to Shadow, Shadow to Light
About the Show
My journey as an artist challenges me to explore where my work fits within a historical narrative. Questioning, “How can it elevate the understanding of the African cultural landscape
beyond traditional Western interpretation?” Portraiture is the use of my exploration.
"Light to Shadow, Shadow to Light'' is a series of oil paintings expounding on the relationship between the conscious and subconscious mind. Using shadows and fashion esthetics to symbolize individuality and self-awareness, while applying the techniques of West-African patterning as a means of storytelling.
“Light to Shadow, Shadow to Light” examines how the relationship between the conscious and subconscious minds is critical in developing a deeper understanding of self. Shadow work is the central process in understanding this relationship. Described as a psychological and spiritual practice; shadow work focuses on the exploration of the unconscious and subjugated self. The process involves an in-depth analysis of the parts of our psyche we may have suppressed or neglected, commonly due to social pressures or personal experiences.
In 2023, I decided to embark on a shadow work journey. As part of that process, I began this painting series to unpack the parts of myself that felt uncomfortable or unfamiliar. It became important for me to both acknowledge and embrace those aspects. While doing the work, I felt inspired to encourage others to reflect on and embrace those parts of themselves as well.
September 12th - September 20th
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
DuYe Moves
405A Colonels Row,
New York, NY, 11231 (map)
$10 Suggested Donation
About the Artist
Fidelis Ayuwa Amed Izekor JR (b.2001 in Ologbo, Nigeria; lives and works in New York, NY) is a multimedia artist best recognized for his oil paintings and drawings, which explore the profoundness of identity through portraiture to further examine different ways of visual storytelling. Interested in civics and afro futuristic fashion aesthetics, Fidelis Izekor merges the techniques of old western oil painting/drawing with ancient and contemporary African art making to cultivate a new form of image creation. This way of developing imagery derives from looking closely at how oil paint is built up to mimic realistic imagery while paying attention to the abstract nature of marks and shapes through the understanding of West African forms of abstraction, especially in textiles. By blending the homogeneity of patterning with high-level naturalism, Fidelis Izekor creates compositions that question and re-interpret what a portrait could look like. His work references pop culture and art history, as well as his own life – being born in Nigeria and moving as a child to the South Bronx, where he was raised. His experience in both places is a recurrent theme in his work and, for Fidelis, the construction of his figures is a means of representing a person's individuality and personal nature in a truthful way, even if those truths are manifested through fantasy and imagination. Though the representation of the self has been a prime focus for his practice, he has also explored depictions of landscape, poetry, nature and architecture.
Directions
By Subway
1 Train to South Ferry Station
R/W Train to Whitehall St. Station
4 and 5 Train to Bowling Green Street
Head towards the Staten Island Ferry to the left you'll see the sign for...
Governors Island Ferry
The ferry leaves every half hour - Click for Schedule
The Ferry is FREE:
Before 10:30am
Older Adults 65 and over
Children 12 and under
Residents of NYCHA housing
IDNYC holders
Military servicemembers (former and active)
Directions to Colonel's Row in House 405
~ Take a right at the top of the hill.
~ Left turn after after passing QCNY Spa.
~ Walk down Colonel's Row until you see House 405A.