Spiritual Crossing: Reach & Embrace
A Vibrant Solo Exhibition of Works by Lucy H. West Opens March 2023
March 3, 2023 — March 31, 2023
Opening Reception: March 3, 2023 | 6–9 PM| Free & Open to the Public
Exhibition Location: Space1026, 844 N. Broad St., Philadelphia, PA
Spiritual Crossing Reach & Embrace is a year-long project debuting twenty-three works- mixed media canvas paintings, works on paper, and installation- all created by Lucy H. West. The collection is inspired by revelations discovered through West’s mindfulness practices over the last nine years post moving to the United States from Japan.
“Lucy’s work puts intent around mindfulness through the content of the work; As we view them, it is as if Lucy’s work is leading a guided meditation for its audience,” said co-curator Nile Overton
Through meditation, West recognized the transformative nature of self-analysis, self-love, and community care. Via playful realms, colorways, and abstract forms, she invites viewers to consider themselves with the same foundation and ponder the universal experience of new beginnings and finding peace within personal growth. Each work will serve as a mirror generating a dialogue between the unguarded artist and the audience.
“Everyone has vulnerable moments, and when people know they’re not alone…they realize that we are all more connected to each other than we might think,” said West.
The effort inspired by West’s vision goes beyond the exhibition. Visitors are invited to engage with West and various artist collaborators, including poets and musicians, through a schedule of programs and workshops planned throughout the month.
To enhance the experimental nature of the art and form, West collaborated with local artists Enjoli Robertson, DJ-Sun, and Reet Starwind to create a video series about the exhibition’s mission and to respond to her work through their mediums during the programmatic calendar.
“One of the most extraordinary things about West’s exhibition is its inherently collaborative nature. Just as her artworks ask the audience to engage in self-analysis, we’ve decided to reach out into our community and found folk who can give direct answers,” co-curator Morgan T. Lloyd explains. “We’re not only able to experience Lucy’s art on the gallery walls, but also the writings and musicality of various non-visual artists. It is incredible to know that community sits at the front and heart of this exhibition.
Spiritual Crossing: Reach & Embrace is co-curated by Nile “Tha Riva” Overton and Morgan T. Lloyd. Major support for Spiritual Crossing: Reach & Embrace has been provided by the collective’s community via a GoFund Me campaign.
Related Programs
The exhibition will be accompanied by a variety of community programs at Space1026. Programs include gallery tours, artist Q&A’s, workshops, and performances. The calendar of events launches at the end of February.
About the Artist
Lucy H. West is a Philadelphia-based artist originally from Tokyo, Japan. Her work portrays human consciousness and inner experiences shared by many of us — while also reflecting her identity as a biracial, binational, bilingual, spiritual, queer, food-loving woman. West graduated from Dickinson College in 2018 with a Bachelor’s in Studio Art and a minor in Economics. Her diverse educational background includes studying visual art at Temple University in Rome, Italy, and the International School in Tokyo, Japan. In 2021 she traveled to Madrid, Spain, for an artist residency to further advance her art education and practice. She has shown and had work acquired in these countries. West’s work was also recently acquired by the University of Pennsylvania’s Department of Medicine. She was selected to be the first artist in the Social Justice Initiative’s newfound program to represent local artists to promote diversity and inclusion in their local community. Through her art, West continuously strives to create personal connections and a community around positivity, love for self, and love for life.
About Space1026
Space 1026 is a community-driven gallery and event space building on N. Broad Street, Philadelphia. Founded in 1997 the Space continues operation through a network of studio and guest artists who showcase within its walls.
About the Curators
Nile Overton is a Philadelphia native who is a practiced arts and culture professional experienced in curation, gallery oversight, talent booking, and music production. His experience also includes event ideation, planning, and execution. Nile is adept at audience experience, community engagement, branding, marketing, sales, promotion, and social media networking. He has curated gallery exhibitions in Philadelphia at Da Vinci Art Alliance and James Oliver Gallery. He formerly served as the Creative Director and Creative Consultant for Truewave TV, a music and digital broadcasting collective based out of Philadelphia that specialized in curated underground music events that were live-streamed online to a global audience. You can contact him on Instagram at @tha_riva
Morgan T. Lloyd is a curator, arts administrator, educator, and activist from Lenapehoking. Lloyd is passionate about uplifting the area’s rich Black and Indigenous histories through holistic conversations and programming. As the Public Programming Coordinator at the African American Museum in Philadelphia (AAMP), she manages the volunteer guide program while curating events highlighting intersectionality within the Black community. The former Mellon curatorial scholar co-founded the ‘Philadelphia 1838 Black Metropolis’ walking tour. Her speaking engagements include UPenn’s Museum Certificate Program, the Will & Jada Smith Foundation, and the Association for the Study of African-American History and Life (ASALH). Contact her via message at www.morgantailored.com, or on Instagram at @morgantailored
Exhibition Dates and Location
March 3–31, 2023
Space1026 – 844 N. Broad St., Philadelphia, PA
Gallery Hours: Wednesdays 6–8 PM | Sundays 12–3 PM
Social Media Instagram: @amateluzart
Exhibition YouTube Video Series: https://gofund.me/bf66b7d3
