Exhibition Statement

I came across Paula Mans’ work and Vanessa Villarreal’s work separately, almost a year ago. I instantly connected their work together and hoped to see them exhibited in dialogue with one another, not knowing that the artists were already friends. I then learned that they have known each other for quite some time. 

Weaving denim (Villarreal) and mixed media (Mans) together from fragments-- which in turn create an altogether different whole, is common to both artists’ works. The act of weaving is in their DNA- it goes back centuries and pays homage to ancestral lineage. These pieces of paper and fabric, brought together, tell a story, and also bring completion to what was once fragmented. Through her practice, Mans highlights interconnectedness among the African Diaspora, while Villarreal reclaims denim as a material made by enslaved African people. Negotiating diasporic existence, often under harsh conditions, both artists take control of the narrative and present these Black figures on their own terms. These artworks represent the shifting and morphing of identities as they fight to survive, and come together, creating a stronger, bolder identity. The word that comes to mind is mending, for to mend is not only to fix, but also to heal. 

These pieces, by two very powerful Black Artists, confront the viewer with their humanity. They challenge and meet us on equal footing (as seen in the large scale pieces), creating space for the viewer to become a part of their world. There is truth in the work, and it echoes loudly. May we all experience these pieces with respect, and may we clearly listen to their stories.