GAVLAK Palm Beach is overjoyed to present “Unbound Rhythms,” an electrifying solo exhibition by the groundbreaking Puerto Rican artist, Awilda Sterling. This exhibition, the first of its kind in a U.S. art gallery, propels Sterling’s daring blend of painting, performance art, and dance into the limelight.
Sterling’s artistry challenges the status quo, testing the limits of identity, gender, diaspora, language, and migration. Her work weaves a vibrant narrative that defies and blurs the boundaries of culture, nationality, and gender, creating a unique dance of colors that is both profound and captivating.
Get ready to be immersed in Sterling’s world from April 15 to June 1, 2023. The exhibition features her latest pieces, including her most ambitious and compelling work, “. . . blindfolded.” The grand opening reception for “Unbound Rhythms” will be a memorable event taking place on Saturday, April 15th, from 5 – 7 pm.
If you’ve had the chance to visit the Whitney Biennale 2022: Quiet as It’s Kept, Sterling’s live creation, “…blindfolded,” may already have left an impression. This piece, part of an ongoing series of dance-drawings, perfectly encapsulates her art, merging Afro-Caribbean dance, music, drawing, and performance into a seamless whole.
Sterling’s creative process is an intimate dance with improvisational jazz, composed by the renowned Miguel Zenón. With a blindfold obstructing her vision, she fully immerses herself in the music, allowing her body to become a conduit. The result is a captivating performance where dance movements come to life on paper.
Her dance-drawings are an explosion of life itself, visually expanding with a rich blend of colors, lines, textures, and depth. The vibrant pastel marks boldly leap past the boundaries of the black construction paper, reaching out to the walls, as if reaching out to the viewer. Each stroke is a kinetic record of abstraction, a testament to Sterling’s playful, yet profound creative spirit.
“Abstraction gives me openness and freedom… I don’t have to see what I am building on. I just have to feel it first,” Sterling shares. Her words not only describe her creative process but also encapsulate her philosophy towards art and life itself.
Sterling’s work is deeply influenced by her experiences as a woman of color and her Afro-Caribbean heritage. She emphasizes authenticity, improvisation, and abstraction in her work. Sterling dances in a language deeply rooted in Afro-Caribbean traditions. She strives to modernize these traditions, creating a vocabulary of movement and gestures that pulsate with life and joy.
“Unbound Rhythms” is your invitation to engage with Sterling’s playful, yet profound work, and understand her connection with her Puerto Rican roots. Her dance-drawings are a refreshing reinterpretation of abstract expressionism, where the spirit of Afro-Caribbean culture resonates powerfully. Sterling continues to contribute to the legacy of great Abstract Expressionists like Joan Mitchell, Helen Frankenthaler, Elaine DeKooning, and Olga Albizu, adding her own vibrant brushstrokes to the canvas of art history.
The exhibition encapsulates the energy, spirit, and rhythm inherent in Sterling’s art. Each piece on display is a testament to her unique approach to abstract expressionism, where she infuses the genre with the spirit of Afro-Caribbean culture.
The title piece, “. . . blindfolded,” is a powerful demonstration of Sterling’s ability to connect with her audience on a deeply personal level. The piece encapsulates the very essence of her approach to art: a delicate yet potent dance between freedom and constraint, instinct and discipline, chaos and harmony. It is a must-see for anyone interested in experiencing Sterling’s artistic journey firsthand.
“Unbound Rhythms” is not just an exhibition; it’s a celebration of Sterling’s journey as an artist, her Afro-Caribbean roots, and her persistent exploration of the boundaries of art and self-expression. It’s a testament to her courage, her creativity, and her dedication to her craft. Each piece on display is an invitation to join her on this journey, to explore the landscapes of her imagination and experience the world through her unique lens.
Awilda Sterling’s work, like the artist herself, cannot be confined to a box or defined by conventional standards. She creates art that is honest, intuitive, and thought-provoking, a dance of colors that resonates with life and vibrancy. Her work is a celebration of her Afro-Caribbean heritage, a tribute to her roots, and a testament to her unwavering belief in the power of art to transform, inspire, and transcend boundaries.
“Unbound Rhythms” is your chance to experience the mesmerizing dance of Sterling’s art. Step into GAVLAK Palm Beach this spring, let yourself be moved by the rhythm of Sterling’s brushstrokes, and discover a world where art, dance, and culture intertwine to create a vibrant tapestry of life, color, and movement.
