At EV Gallery, More Women’s Art

The latest Women’s Group Show to open recently, this one at EV Gallery, 621 E. 11th St., features a very diverse group of artists, each bringing their talent, technique and artistic ideosyncracies to the task of offering viewers their personal visions of modern womanhood.

If the goal of a all-women’s art show is to showcase the work of female artists while at the same time displaying a diverse cross section of work that is expressive of the female condition, than EV Gallery owner Kerri Lindström, who curated the show, has scored another stunning success. Two of the artist in the show, Gulsum Keskinoglu and Sneha S., were co-curators.

One piece that stands out is an oil on wood work by Kiarra Elliott @afrocentrickeyy called EARTH. Painting as she does on pieces of plywood and particle board, her work has an organic feel and some of her pieces take that feel a bit further with the inclusion of plant and animal co-stars along with the main subjects. Her subjects rarely smile, but Elliot succeeds in portraying them as strong, wise and thoughtful, but not cynical or angry.

Working by the name and mission of her brand, Afrocentric Keyy, Kiarra Elliott uses her own eco conscious, self-coined Afro-Realism Portraiture style to create a two-way visual engagement telling the stories of Black Women.

“Each painting opens a space to ignite emotions and start conversations around art and the visual representation of those from the African, African American, and Afro-Caribbean diaspora.”

Kiarra recently exhibited with Superfine Art Fair in Miami, and her gorgeous work can be seen in public spaces around DC and Miami!

ABE at work in he DUMBO studio

Another important contribution to the exhibition came from artist/gallerist/collector Nicole ABE Titus @nicoleabetitus, whose piece PAID merges bright colors and sweeping arches to form an evocative comment on the nexus of sex and treasure.

The piece is in the young painter’s signature style, bold strokes of color and fluid shapes creating an excellent example of 21st Century color field painting. ABE lists the abstract expressionists as her most significant influences and that certainly comes through in this work. She has named Mark Rothko as a particularly important inspiration and while she may have poached some of her color pallet from him, her work’s gently curving lines and defined transitions between colors bring to mind the work of Kenneth Noland.

Growing up in foster care, ABE gravitated towards art at an early age as a means to escape from harsh realities. While her painting style can be described as abstract expressionism, while her overall art style is conceptual. There are sexual allusions in her work as well as references to the imbalances of power and money in society.

ABE is the founder and curator of Julia Seabrook Gallery, which is currently showing its premier exhibition, Miss Universe, through April 3.

Angela Ambrosini @angelambro_pixs: “As a street photographer, I observe the motions of life, photograph and document it. Street photography creates unposed courage, I say. It allows me to share the most intimate stories of my subjects through the light and lens.”

Angela has traveled to five of the seven continents, hiked the sleeping giant in Hawaii, was a classical dance teacher for a grassroots community program, created global teams in fortune-five hundred companies - all while leading and believing in people and experiences.

Rebecca Marley @rebeccaemarley is a Fine Artist based in Brooklyn, NY: My creations are inspired by the timeless yet evolving nuances of the Woman. My work depicts a dance that balances raw and delicate, beautiful and imperfect. I like to explore the natural innocence and the enticing sensuality of being a woman in her body.

Ta Ming Chen @tamingchenart is a New York based multi-discipline artist. She enjoys creating art through the medium of painting and photography. Ta Ming was born in Fuzhou, China and grew up in Taipei, Taiwan. Ta Ming moved to New York City in 2010 to explore life and career path. Inspiration from the culture, art and especially local artists in her life circle opened up her courage to go deep and take on this journey as an artist.

Her passion for philosophy and psychology led her to explore the relationship between art and living philosophy. Through the process of creating art during the pandemic she discovered the therapeutic aspect of this activity, then realized the process of art creating can serve as a powerful tool for human beings to process excess mental energy, emotions and difficult emotions. Furthermore, creating art serves as a great tool for self-understanding, self-exploring, and building or rebuilding a healthier relationship with oneself. She often told her friends “Art Heals Me.” That describes a lot about the relationship Ta Ming has with art, and the joy that comes with it.

Besides pursuing her role as an artist, Ta Ming is currently working as a fashion, beauty and celebrity makeup artist @tamingchen in New York City.

Mikako Shojima @mikakoatelier explores identity and the relationships between color and emotions through painting. By combining human emotions with color, she aims to encompass the full spectrum of expression of what people would feel in an abstract manner.

Born in Saga (Japan), Mikako traveled to Los Angeles, CA in 2009 and became enticed by the many new sights and felt a sense of freedom. Eventually moving to New York City in 2011, she is now pursuing her passion as an artist.

The freedom of expression, the freedom of emotion, and the culture she experienced when coming to the U.S. is what began her journey to create.

Parisa Pirooz @parisapirooz1 works in fearless expressive portraiture and is also the founder and Executive Director of CRESHENDO: a non-profit that serves the refugee youth in the U.S. with a focus on overcoming generational patterns so all gender identities can actualize their full potential as progressive members of society.

Gulsum Keskinoglu @awomaninthearts Gulsum was born in Afyonkarahisar, Turkey. The artist studied at Isparta Anatolian Fine Art High School Department of Painting and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Mugla Faculty, in Bodrum, of Fine Arts, Department of Sculpture. While participating in various national group exhibitions, Gulsum expanded her studio expertise with ceramic artist, Tevfik Turen Karagozoglu, in Bodrum. This experience launched Gulsum’s first solo exhibition in Bodrum, in 2015.

Gulsum has presented at dozens of exhibitions and fairs. This list includes Superfine Art Fair Miami and ArtExpo, New York’s largest Fine Art Trade Fair. While attending Art Expo, Patan Art Gallery extended an invitation for her to participate in a group exhibition at Fouart Gallery in Paris, France from June-July 2022. Most recently she had a solo show at Dacia Gallery in New York.

Snaybelle @snaybelle aka Sneha S. is an artist based in Queens. Sneha explored art from a young age due to her rough childhood upbringing. Born in Silchar, Assam of India, Sneha’s family shifted to the United States in hopes to “achieve the American dream.”

In turn, the harshness of capitalism destroyed her family barely getting by while also dealing with the strained mental health of both of her parents. In order to cope with child abuse, Sneha turned to art for solace.

My first art residency was at EV Gallery back in November of last year, and I couldn't be more elated in presenting new pieces alongside other talented and powerful artists.”