Opening Reception :: Synergies, Cheryl R. Riley

The Jacques Marchais is delighted to present Synergies, its inaugural contemporary exhibition featuring works by the multi-disciplinary artist Cheryl R. Riley.

Art wields a transformative force, carving out space for fresh creative prospects, new ideas, and cultivating vital connections between diverse communities and their environments, introducing novel perspectives and encounters. Working within this theme, Synergies symbolizes a convergence of individual, distinct expressions that give rise to a greater, collective energy. This exhibition navigates the conversations that have always been highlighted by the vision of this Museum: cultural heritage, ancestral dialogue, and the exploration of the human spirit.

The exhibit features an assortment of artworks, including paintings, sculptures, installations, mixed-media pieces and more, offering an enchanting multi-sensory encounter. Included within the exhibit are works from Cheryl’s series “Glyphs” (2017), a visual collection of Sci-Fi/Afro-Futurist symbols painted using gouache and metallic ink on pages extracted from a 1957 encyclopedia. This series is the outcome of an exploration into the impact of language on societal identity and structures. Also showcased is “Kaleidoscopes” (2018), which evolved from the “Glyphs” series. A centerpiece of Cheryl’s collection, “Strata” (2022), stands as a testament to her artistic vision and philosophical exploration.

“My art explores similarities between seemingly disparate cultures viewed through the lens of gender, history, rituals, implements and symbols.” - Cheryl R. Riley