Fakeha Naeem, Contributing Writer
“Ode to the Anomalous,” is a month-long exhibition showcasing the art of six artists at Southside Contemporary Art Gallery, or SCAG, that explores works in fabric, acrylic and other mixed mediums.
The artists participating in the exhibition are Alex Sorapuru, Asa Jackson, James Williams III, Huey Lightbody, Serron Green and Taj Posce. All are contributing their unique voices and perspectives.
Ra-Twoine “Rosetta” Fields, founder of SCAG and curator of the exhibition, brought in works of the artists he has worked with for over 10 years as either a curator, collector or a curious patron of the art.
All artists exhibiting their work are traveling from different states, including New Jersey, Louisiana and Maryland — to name a few.
“To represent them speaks to me as a curator, my travels and helping artists reach their growth,” Fields said.
The inspiration for “Ode to the Anomalous,” comes from Fields’ desire for people to explore how artists use materials to translate their experiences and narratives within their artwork.
“[It] functions as a space of reflection. Navigating the feeling of uncertaininty and doubt. Pieces serve as mirrors depicting lived experiences,” Fields said.
Fields wants people to explore how artists used the materials to translate their experiences and their narratives within their artwork and draw more attention to the curation work.
Sorapuru, a New Orleans-based visual artist and architectural designer participating in this exhibition, believes visual and written art share fundamental elements.
“Visual art and poetry intersect in that gap, inviting interpretation and personal connection,” Sorapuru stated.
Sorapuru’s work for the exhibition is based on colorblocking and use of vellum and collage, embodying the idea of structure, rhythm and its absence. His compositions explore structure, negative spaces and transparency.
The artist was drawn to the theme “Ode to the Anomalous,” in his art he explored the “spaces between structure and organic life, how identity shifts and grows,” Sorapuru stated.
“Like the process of storytelling from our own personal point of view,” Sorapuru stated.
Green is a New Jersey-based artist and uses various mediums such as text, images, sculptures and installations to create his art. His work titled “Black Love” on display for Southside Gallery is a piece from a small series of text-based work he created, his approach to artistic creativity to visually stimulate the audience.
The art Green created expresses the Black American experience and Green loved the way people responded to the piece. Green and Fields are old friends and when Fields approached him with the idea “Ode to the Anomalos,” Green knew this particular text-based work was what best resonated with the inspired theme.
While Green does not have a specific style, he does have a signature content which tends to gravitate towards things surrounding the Black American experience.
“Content and information dictate the mediums for me,” Green said.
Green’s travels as a child with his dad sparked his interest in learning various cultures. It inspires him in a wide range of works and texts, which are seen in his collections, such as a five-piece series of the word “Stop” in five different languages and another 12-piece series inspired by the poetry of Amiri Baraka.
Green’s exploration in different mediums and cultural expressions is seen in his body of work. He believes that people should start respecting one another, and we would get along better. “respect each other. We would get along a little better.”
The exhibit “Ode to the Anomalous,” will remain open, showcasing the artwork to the public from Feb 6 through March 7 on Thursdays-Saturdays from 12-6 p.m. More information about the exhibit can be found on SCAG’s Instagram page: @southsidecontemporary.