Queens by Christopher Kyle
Press Release
The City of North Charleston's Cultural Arts Department is pleased to announce that concurrent solo exhibitions of drawings and mixed media works by local artists Christopher Kye and Christine D. Johnson will be on display at Park Circle Gallery from August 4-28, 2021. A free reception will be held at the gallery on Friday, August 6th, from 5 pm to 7 pm. Both artists will be present and the public is invited to attend.
Shattering the Stereotype – Drawings by Christopher Kyle
In his first solo exhibition, Shattering the Stereotype, Christopher Kyle presents a collection of portraits celebrating black women. Working primarily with a black and white palette using charcoal and graphite, Kyle focuses on his subjects' facial features and adornments, rather than their skin tone. “I purposely don’t show shades of melanin in my work,” he explains. “There is an unfortunate debate about the beauty of black people as it relates to the lightness or darkness of their skin. I eliminate that factor by keeping the people in my drawings the same shade.” Kyle often adds pops of color in his subjects' clothing and accessories using Prismacolor to add drama and accentuate their natural beauty. “I want some little black girl (or woman) to see herself and how beautiful she is when she sees my work. I want some little black boy (or man) to see the beauty in our black women. I don’t want them to look in the mirror and hate themselves. Every time I create a black woman, I make sure she doesn’t merely break the stereotype. She shatters it.”
Christopher Kyle is a native of Goose Creek, SC. He began focusing on art in 2013 and is self-taught. He is a member of the Summerville Artists Guild and Goose Creek Artist Guild and has shown his work and won many awards in group exhibitions throughout the Lowcountry, including the North Charleston Arts Fest Judged Fine Art and MOJA Juried Exhibits. View his work on Instagram @art_is_expressive.
The Strength Within – Mixed Media Paintings and Collages by Christine D. Johnson
In her exhibit, The Strength Within, Christine D. Johnson presents works from her Contemplation series, which features abstract mixed media paintings and collages of faces that represent authenticity, clarity, humility, patience, and resilience. The layered and soulful visages depicted in Christine's work, paired with introspective titles, invite the viewer to see and feel their own beauty and strength. “My art captures the essence, soul, strength, beautiful imperfection, and resilience in the many faces I encounter,” she says. “It encourages individuals to look within for clarity and the courage to fulfill their purpose.”
Christine D. Johnson is a native of Jamaica who recognizes the importance of utilizing your natural talents to fulfill your purpose in life. In addition to being a visual artist she is also a poet. Her artwork has been featured in exhibitions in the Lowcountry and Pennsylvania and her poems have been included in a variety of publications. She currently lives and creates in Summerville, SC. To learn more about visit christinedjohnson.com or view her work on Instagram @christinedjohnsonart.
The Park Circle Gallery is located at 4820 Jenkins Avenue in North Charleston, in what was formerly known as the Olde Village Community Building. Admission is free and free street parking is available on Jenkins Avenue in front of the gallery, as well as on the adjacent streets and in parking lots close by. The gallery is open 10:00am-6:00pm Wednesday-Friday, and Noon-4:00pm on Saturday. For more information about PCG, call 843-637-3565 or email culturalarts@northcharleston.org. For information on other Cultural Arts programs and artist opportunities, visit the Arts & Culture section of the City's website at www.northcharleston.org.
