Expressions

Paintings and Photographs made by SMKM and Stella Moody

1020 Collective, July - August 2021

Expressions was the first exhibition in which I hung paintings and photographs in conversation. Prior to that moment, I exclusively exhibited photographs. Many of the paintings were made with my daughter, Stella. We began painting together when she was 18 months old and continue to do this day. Creating large paintings with Stella is a deeply bonding experience.

I had just returned to Erie after a refreshing long term visit to Miami and wanted to introduce myself and my art work to Erie. I was in love with the gallery at 1020 Collective. The vast exhibition allowed me to show many bodies of work including a portrait series of my sister, Claire.

Activations:

I hosted weekly Expression Sessions in painting (for adults and children), clay, and yoga classes to bring the community together. Expression Sessions encouraged participants to express freely with abstract painting, clay hand-building, and meditative yoga.

I also invited artists to express within the space. We hosted Express Yourself on the Mic with Miss Mabel Howard, a poetry open mic that continues to present day (2024); a concert with Afrobeta, Miami electronic duo Cuci Amador and Smurphio; screenings of Birthright, a film by Jayme Gershon about Afrobeta visiting and performing in Cuba, and The Flight of the Neon, an experimental film by Tara Long and Brett Potter.