Persistence of Memory: Artworks by Deon Lewis, Charity Myers and Julie Guyot

Memory offers a vehicle for transcending the confines of time and space. In that way, it is not unlike the artmaking process where exploration is encouraged and boundaries are blurry. There is a direct relationship between memory and imagination and both are used to conjure mental images. In this exhibition, the works of artists Deon Lewis, Charity Myers and Julie Guyot make those visions concrete.

Through painting, photography, sculpture and fiber, each artist recalls stories to be shared and experienced by others. The works on display represent a sense of nostalgia, family histories and past encounters.

Deon Lewis’ work is comprised of fabric, fibers and thread that are collaged into unique compositions. Her most recent works deal with themes relating to personal reflection. “Each of the pieces on display represents a moment of quiet contemplation—a special memory captured in time, reflecting joy and sometimes uncomfortable vulnerabilities.”

In her mixed media paintings, Charity Myers explores the intersection of past and present. Her work contains a variety of historic and contemporary images that balance on the edge of recognition and abstraction. “I am interested in the bits and pieces of memories that flash in our dreams and recall a feeling without specifics or clarity. A single snapshot can imprint evidence in our minds of a moment even when our memory fails. The tricky part is—our minds are faulty, and photographs often tell only part of the story.”

Ceramic is the medium of choice for Julie Guyot who enhances her clay pieces with paper and found objects. She often uses photo transfer techniques to construct a sculptural record of a different time period. “My work is heavily layered to imply a sense of history, nostalgia, domesticity and craft. I have accumulated a vocabulary of images and text that can be used interchangeably to lead the viewer through a story that is open to interpretation. ”

Though recollections can be misty, these artists are making them tangible. These works illustrate that our memory shapes our identities as individuals and our ties to other people.

Meet these artists and enjoy refreshments at the opening reception on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018 from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm.

This is one of many exhibitions curated by COCA for the Art in Public Places program on behalf of the City of Tallahassee. For more information about this exhibition or upcoming exhibitions, visit tallahasseearts.org or contact Amanda Karioth Thompson at COCA, (850) 224-2500 or amanda@tallahasseearts.org.