SOFT GIRL ERA
Group Exhibition
Curated by Leslie Shaffer and Nataki Oliver
Featuring Artwork by Sharon Bloomfield Hicks
June 9 - August 27, 2023
The Delaware Contemporary
200 South Madison Street
Wilmington, DE 19801
Gallery Hours
Thursday - Sunday: 12 - 5 PM
This exhibition, showcasing the work of 17 artists, runs concurrent with the social and emotional movement of the same name: Soft Girl Era. Behind the movement is the desire to break culturally embedded images and historical expectations assigned to black women.
Soft Girl Era breaks down assumptions that black women are bound to adhere to this style of representation, this way of life, that the only means of strength are a rigid exterior. The Soft Girl Era movement challenges notions of race and beauty, and gender and power to suggest a softness derived through an aesthetic that projects overt femininity: pastel colors, a playfulness and above all, self-driven empowerment acquired through self-awareness, a confidence to set boundaries, acceptance of a slow and purposeful life, and the adoption of a work life balance.
© Sharon Bloomfield Hicks, Yin and Yang T8, 2022, Wool tapestry, 28 x 26 inches
Sharon Bloomfield Hicks is a Philadelphia based artist, aesthetically influenced by her Jamaican heritage. Her paintings and tapestries are distinguished by exotic color combinations, large shapes and active figure-ground relationships. Synthesizing craft materials with painterly intentions she creates fresh, uplifting work which reflects the harmony and well-being she desires to see in the world.
Hicks holds a BFA in painting from Tyler School of Art and an MS in occupational therapy from Philadelphia University. Early in her career, she completed an apprenticeship at the Fabric Workshop and exhibited her work in solo shows at Third Street Gallery. She served as Personal Secretary to Violette de Mazia at the Barnes Foundation, completed in-depth studies of the Barnes collection and went on to become the first Education Coordinator at the Violette de Mazia Trust.
An interest in ways of seeing in art and life led Sharon to work as a vision therapist and then immersion in the healing arts. Drawing connections between the healing arts and art, she taught Meditate and Create classes at Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts and other venues. Later, during her career as an occupational therapist, she came to understand her art practice as a therapeutic activity. She has used a "life as art" philosophy while maintaining an overarching purpose of teaching people to see. Her current work links art with vision and health.
A member at Da Vinci Art Alliance in Philadelphia, she recently exhibited her work in a solo show Concepts & Compositions: Exploring the Yin and Yang in Art, Health and Life. Works by Hicks have been included in shows at the Philadelphia Art Alliance, State Museum of Pennsylvania, Museum of the Hudson Highlands, Galleries at Moore College of Art and Design, Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, and Nexus Foundation among other locations.
For more information on Bloomfield Hick's work: https://www.amiepotsicartadvisory.com/art-history/sharonbloomfieldhicks
The Delaware Contemporary is an art space that infuses contemporary art and creativity into our community through compelling exhibitions, dynamic educational experiences, and access to the artistic process.
Founded in 1979 by artists, The Delaware Contemporary presents exhibitions of regionally, nationally, and internationally recognized artists that explore topical issues in contemporary art and society. In addition, we provide opportunities for local and emerging artists to showcase their work and advance their artistic growth. Art sales through our galleries and Museum Shop support area and exhibiting artists and our commitment to the importance of contemporary art in our community. For more information, visit: https://www.decontemporary.org/