Opening reception: Sunday March 10 * 3-5pm
Artist talks: Sunday March 24 * 4pm
Stop by to see the work of four exciting young local artists whose work will be up in our space through the end of the month: Isabella Merlos, Esmat Zeerak, Adrien Picquenot, and Lew.
Isabella Merlos, an emerging artist from Arlington Virginia, fuses diverse mediums to craft evocative narratives. Established in fine arts, Isabella has polished her talents in painting, oil pastel, design, and screen printing. Her ability to storytell and create intricate concepts leads to her continual attraction. Isabella's work has adorned galleries, garnering acclaim in a range of regional group exhibitions, including renowned venues like Visarts Center, Hill Center, Dupont Underground, and Rhizome. She earned her place in a National Group Exhibition at Target Gallery, selected by world-renowned artist and activist Diane Burko. Isabella's artistic journey includes an Honorable Mention Award at the 2023 Regional Juried Exhibit, fostering a gateway to her first solo exhibition. Isabella’s art strives to challenge perspectives, by invoking profound emotions that foster empathy, connection, and deeper understanding among viewers. Isabella's art continues to evolve, pushing creative boundaries and inviting audiences to partake in her imaginative voyage.
Artist statement: My creative process is a battle between the therapeutic and the intricate. Central to my art is the pursuit of fostering empathy within viewers. In a divided world I believe art that can evoke empathy for one another can encourage the abilities of our humanity and warmth. Within my work I craft somber narratives and conceptual stories, unfolding feelings of understanding and empathy. Conversely, my abstract endeavors delve into my personal complexities of navigating throughout this world and society. I search for freedom within my abstract art, something I struggle to experience in my internal and external world. I grapple with my experience of disparities that challenge me and many individuals like me, often leading to setbacks and disadvantages. I find myself in play when creating abstract art, even if I feel so melancholic, my creativity flows on the canvas arraying playful designs and colors.
Esmat Zeerak is an emerging Afghan artist in exile. His work displays organically evolving primal shapes, memories, and experiences. His paintings explore humanity's roots -- narrating consciousness's stories about the past, present, and future. He was born in Afghanistan, and completed his undergraduate education at St. John's College, Santa Fe, New Mexico. He currently lives and works in Silver Spring, Maryland and Marfa, Texas.
Adrien Picquenot arrived in DC from France a few years ago, for a post-doctoral research position. Concurrently to his academic career, he maintains a diverse artistic production, ranging from the direction of stop motion or live action short films and music videos to painting and modeling.
Statement: My artistic production wanders in many different directions, and presents a consistent whole in spite, rather than because of me. My work reflects certain obsessions and a certain way to look at things that I wouldn't have chosen to display in public otherwise. I mainly do not intend to consciously state anything on a rational level with my art production or, at least, I do not intend this statement to be unique and single-minded. Above all, I want my work to have an emotional impact. I can only hope for it to resonate with the spectator's personal experiences, and give way to their own interpretation when they form one.