GRACE is a celebration of the resilience, beauty, and vitality that permeate the lives of Black and Brown individuals. This exhibition is a reflection of the quiet power found in everyday moments—where grace is not just an attribute, but a lived experience. Through the lens of portraiture, each image serves as an homage to the strength and vulnerability that coexist between communities, while simultaneously challenging common narratives that often overlook the nature of being human.
Artist Statement
In GRACE, I seek to capture not just the external, but the internal essence of my subjects—their joy, their wisdom, and their unspoken stories. These portraits embody the diverse expressions of love, perseverance, and quiet defiance that often go unseen. In a world where the lives of Black and Brown people are too often defined by struggle, this exhibition redefines them with joy, grace, and quiet strength.
The works in GRACE ask viewers to reflect on the transformative power of representation. They remind people to see themselves reflected in art as an act of reclamation and celebration. Through these portraits, I invite viewers to see not just the faces of Black and Brown lives, but the fullness of their humanity—the grace that exists in their being, their presence, and their stories.
This exhibition is a tribute to my parents and the untold stories of joy and triumph, a space where Black and Brown lives are given the dignity, honor, and space they deserve. GRACE is not just about showing beauty, but about recognizing and amplifying the often understated power of our human existence.
Michelle’s theatrical background also enables her to get the most honest expression out of her subjects while making them feel comfortable, relaxed and inspired.
http://michellepatrickphoto.com/
On exhibit at West Las Vegas Library from April 17 through June 6, 2025
Gallery Reception Thursday, April 17 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Monday: 10:00AM – 8:00PM
Tuesday: 10:00AM – 8:00PM
Wednesday: 10:00AM – 8:00PM
Thursday: 10:00AM – 8:00PM
Friday: 10:00AM – 6:00PM
Saturday: 10:00AM – 6:00PM
Sunday: 10:00AM – 6:00PM
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