The Tribune

By ALESHA CADET

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

INSPIRED by the stories of women and nature’s colour palette, and with an admiration for the old and appreciation for the new, fine artist and graphic designer Philece R presents her solo exhibit

“Beautiful Warrior” at the Hillside House Gallery this month.

Opening on Friday, November 14 from 6pm to 9pm, and running until November 28, the exhibition explores bold contrasts and rhythmic movement.
The name of the exhibition was inspired by a drawing by the same name that Philece created earlier this year.

The series of drawings to which this piece belongs to provided the inspiration and foundation for the “Beautiful Warrior” exhibit.

The collection of work is inspired by finding the beauty in strength, struggle and triumph, and in the little things too often taken for granted. Each piece of art gives a visual voice to those who have been through their share of darkness but choose to shine and spread their light anyway, the artist said.

Philece said what she depicts are people who find comfort in knowing that their strength is beyond measure, whose tears remind them that they are human, whose journey reminds them that they are strong; their beauty is undeniable from the inside and out – they are beautiful warriors.
Philece is a self-taught artist with a BA in Film and Videos Studies and a BFA degree in Graphic Design. Her formal education along with her passion for the arts allowed her to indulge in the best of both worlds, old and new, employing traditional and digital techniques separately and simultaneously.

With the “Beautiful Warrior” exhibit, Philece is showing 14 pieces; a combination of graphite drawings on paper and mixed media paintings on tea stained paper and wood panels.

Philece said she started an ongoing series called “The Beauty Collection” in 2009, and for the first time ever some of the original drawings from this series will be viewable by the public and available for sale along with brand new artwork never before seen and created specifically for this exhibition.

“My goal is to encourage viewers to redefine standard perceptions of beauty, urging them to look beyond the surface of what they initially see. We live in a world that has become so superficial in regards to beauty. As a result, too often the aspects of what makes someone truly beautiful is overlooked. The stories that live in the depths of one’s soul and emanate through the eyes hold a beauty so personal most rarely experience,” said Philece.

She said it is her hope that people connect with the artwork on an emotional level; that each piece tugs at their heart strings in some way, creating an appreciation for the strength in their struggles and finding confidence in their beauty regardless of what current society dictates.

After the show, Philece said she plans to continue finding new inspiration, create new art and work towards her next solo show for which the concepts have already begun taken root in her imagination.