Join us for ArtWorks’ next gallery opening for The Way We See Ourselves: Telling Stories Through Self Portraits on Friday, August 20. Led by Artist April Sunami, The Way We See Ourselves challenges young artists to think of portraiture as a form of storytelling.
ArtWorks V² Gallery Opening for The Way We See Ourselves
Friday, August 20
4 – 7 p.m.
Artist Talk begins at 5:30 p.m.
901 E. McMillan Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45206
For safety of all guests, we ask you RSVP.
At the event, we invite the community to create a tile in response to the prompt “I Am…” Or “We are…” using paint markers and washi tape. The pieces will be added to the collaborative piece to be displayed in the gallery.
About the Exhibit
Self-portraits have long history in the trajectory of art making throughout time. They have always been a proclamation of self, a way of asserting the artist existence and inserting themselves in history. In some ways, they allow the artist to truly look at themselves truthfully in order to capture an accurate likeness. In this exhibition, young artists were encouraged to find ways to connect their own stories and experiences to create a self-portrait that captures not only their physical likeness but some part of their inner lives. In addition, artists were challenged to incorporate more than one media to create their painting. The variety of interpretations of this theme and use of mixed media are impressive. Some artists are in conversation with their younger selves, some explore childhood memories of place, some ponder spiritual meaning, while others grapple with complex and intersectional identities. No matter the approach, each of these self-portraits are wholly unique and extraordinary.
About April Sunami
April Sunami is an award-winning visual artist primarily focusing on mixed-media painting and installation. Her honors include the 2018 Greater Columbus Arts Council’s Professional Artist Award at the Ohio State Fair, the Jurors Choice 3rd Place in the Greater Columbus Arts Council Cap-Up project for her installation at Ohio Theatre and inclusion as a featured artist in Shadowbox Theater’s 2016 Gallery of Echoes.
Sunami’s work has been exhibited internationally, including at the National Theatre in Accra, Ghana, and in the Cuba Biennial exhibitions in Mantanzas. She has also been featured in various juried group exhibits, galleries and museums including the Columbus Museum of Art, the National African American Museum and Cultural Center and a solo exhibit at the Southern Ohio Museum in Portsmouth, Ohio. Her work is also represented in private, corporate and public collections throughout the country including Equitas Health, the King Arts Complex and the Greater Columbus Convention Center.
Sunami teaches art to children in afterschool programs in addition to serving as a resident artist in schools throughout Central Ohio. Sharing the joys of artistic expression with young people and creating collaborative work with her students and fellow artists is of utmost importance. Sunami also has designed the Walnut Hills living wall mural with Urban Blooms coming soon.
The Artists
The Artists participating in this exhibit are Wesley Ericson, Ella Emanuael, Satchid Macharia, Aspen Que Stein, Grace Park, Syvie Tiro, Michael Thompson and Sophie VonLehman. Meet the team at the gallery opening.
