Ophelia Chambliss Reception

Ophelia Chambliss: Buds, Bugs, Blossoms and Birds
On exhibit now through January 8th, 2022
Reception: November 6th – 2pm-5pm
Buds, Bugs, Blossoms and Birds with an intersection of Blackness.
The works in this show depict an interpretation of elements of nature from a different lens. As with many things, how different cultures view components of nature is rooted in their experiences as a people.
The Black American experience has roots in an African culture that was one with nature and the earth, to one that was converted into one that was devoid for an appreciation of nature. The move from the fields to the city’s created an even further removal from nature, but at the same time developed a different interpretation and viewing of nature that resonated in a fascination ad a specialness to the colors, shapes and variety seldom seen.
Many of the pieces in this show are depicted in the cultural lens of color and movement often seen in African diaspora images, to create almost animated images of things without names, but an impression.
Many of the pieces represent the components of the buds, bugs, blossoms and the birds, and the insertion of African and Black centered images throughout the exhibit give them purpose. African culture has many symbols from its many different languages. For example, the depiction of birds like many of these pieces, have deep cultural traditions in their meaning. While not shown here, the Sankofa bird is a representation of “looking back, in order to move forward”, ie. learning from history, learning from experience and learning by example.
The paintings in this collection represent are an artistic, and cultural representation, through a different lens, which is a departure away from taxonomy and knowing the genus and phylum of plants and creatures but feeling them.
A reception will be held at the Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art on November 6th from 2pm to 5pm where you can get a chance to meet the artist! Hors d’oeuvres and drinks will be served!