FACES

January 25 - March 1, 2024

Portraiture by Black CT artists, featuring mosaics by guest artist Pierre Sylvain and recent work by Bridgeport artists, Elisha Brockenberry, Will Corprew, John Lawson, Iyaba Ibo Mandingo, Shanna Melton at City Lights Gallery 265 Golden Hill St Bridgeport CT. Opening night and artists' reception will take place February 10th, 6:00-9:00PM.

The individual face is an artifact honed by one’s personal life journey. Local Black artists exhibit their unique portraiture through choice of materials, style and subject matter; encouraging viewers to study FACES; going beyond initial appearance to find their humanity, including universal and existential commonalities, individual stories and heritage.

Read About the Artists

PIERRE SYLVAIN

This Mosaic series reflects the historical and ancestral roots from which our communities are built upon. My work opens a dialogue about how we are affected by this world we are living in today, which was born from the world of visionaries and social justice advocates of our past. 

My intention is to create a series of images that engage the viewers- the mosaic process itself is an ancient art that was utilized intentionally in community spaces for its endurance to the elements and human interaction. The inevitable reference to the ancient worlds and the stories that are retold allow the viewer to question both what is depicted, and what parts of history remain untold- or within the cracks of the mosaic images. 

Portraits by John Lawson, left to right: "Mother Warren," "Cornered," and "Daniel"

“Cornered” by John Lawson

Art by Elisha Brockenberry

“Basquiat” by Pierre Sylvain

JOHN LAWSON
John Lawson is a visual artist who is interested in capturing the human experience on all it’s various levels. John’s North Carolina childhood would provide the initial setting for the first stirring of the artistic urges within him. The third of six children, the need for self expression became a dominate force in his life. Motivated by a desire to communicate his feelings, thought’s, and emotions, with special sensibilities John would find his voice through the artistic process and as a musician. The desire for artistic expression would set him on a journey to convey with great passion a visual commentary of the human experience. 

His work is a  celebration and appreciation of the world around him. Equipped with an unquenchable curiosity he is in constant pursuit of the beauty conflict and mysteries of life. The need to explained the would around him would find its expression through his love for drawing, oil painting, pastels and airbrush. One is immediately engage by his portraits, figures, landscapes and still life. 

John is a Bridgeport Ct. resident for over 50 years. He received his BFA from Syracuse University. John’s work has been collected by the institutions, private collectors, churches and homes throughout the east coast. John is a member of the of the Art Alliance Guild of Stratford CT. The CT. Pastel Society. TheStamford Arts Association. John is the founder of Artlawsproduction, a virtual online art gallery. It features original fine art as well as reproductions.  John serves in a mentorship capacity to others who seek to grow artistically. He provide art instruction training and workshops in the Fairfield County area. He is committed to promoting the arts in his local community. He believes strongly that art improves the quality of our lives. 

ELISHA BROCKENBERRY
Young Bridgeport artist Elisha Brockenberry lives in the world of becoming. This is reflected in her art-making, the choice of found objects that she incorporates into her work, her process, and her passion for urban farming. (During the pandemic shutdown she appropriated an unstewarded patch of a community garden that became a haven for creating and gathering for local youth.) Her understanding and fascination for the biology of flux is combined with her musings and preoccupation with the connection between the astral present, past and future and wonder of her ancestral roots. She is a picker of stuff. She admires the design, potential and intrinsic qualities of found detritus. Elisha has a Puck-like nature, she pushes boundaries and doesn’t accept things or situations as conventionally established. She plays with symbolism and ‘reality’ and challenges the viewer with intimate subject matter or illogical pairings.like a hammer and fabric epoxied onto large flat charcoal-black board of insulation that she found in a dumpster outside her studio space at the NEST Arts Factory.
Read more about Elisha here.

IYABA IBO MANDINGO
Artist statement: This series is an ode to our 3rd World Sheroes, Heroes, and Freedom fighters. Many of them remain a mystery to our people, still hidden behind the propaganda of imperialism. For some there only remain written descriptions and no photographs. Others have been turned into diluted westernized versions of themselves. Our children need to name these warriors and learn the connection between their struggles and our lives today.

UHURU!

Wood sculptures by Iyaba Ibo Mandingo, left to right: "Nannie of the Maroons," "Kwaku," and "Boukman de Obeah Man"

Art above by Claude Desir Jr. and Danielle Julius, acrylic on wood and oil on canvas