Artist Odinga Tyehimba, George Hemphill, Renee Stout, Robert Goudie, and GRACE Executive Director and Curator Holly Koons McCullough at the artists reception for the exhibit Incubator. Photo by Ryan Dunn.
“Some of these pieces are heartbreaking, some are funny. They run the gamut of human emotion…”
-- GRACE Executive Director and Curator Holly Koons McCullough
“I think there are few collaborative shows between two artists like this,” said Derryl Harris. “The depth and the materials, it is quite unique.” Harris, a resident of Herndon and board member of Greater Reston Arts Center (GRACE), attended the April artists reception for the exhibit Incubator which features artwork of Renee Stout and Odinga Tyehimba. Self-taught artist Tyehimba combines interest in traditional art with his interpretation of the historic and contemporary experiences of Africans in the Americas. Renee Stout has received acclaim for her mixed-media works exploring issues including identity, race, gender, and healing.
“It is a brilliant show,” said George Hemphill, owner of Hemphill Fine Arts gallery located in Washington, D.C. “Renee is one of the most important artists in D.C. today, she is a storyteller.” Stout, who is based in Washington D.C., is the only American artist to have had a solo exhibition at the National Museum for African Art, and is a recipient of numerous prestigious awards. This includes awards from the Joan Mitchell Foundation, and Louis Comfort Tiffany Foundation. Stout has shown her work in shows throughout the United States, England, Russia and the Netherlands.
“You cannot do this sort of event without a fantastic staff,” said Robert Goudie, chairman of the GRACE Board of Directors, introducing GRACE Executive Director and Curator Holly Koons McCullough, who described how the art show developed.
“I did not curate this show,” said McCullough, explaining that this art show was developed by the artists Stout and Tyehimba. “I could not be more pleased with what has developed. This is challenging work, this is work the artists have brought years of craft to. Some of these pieces are heartbreaking, some are funny. They run the gamut of human emotion… I love the idea that GRACE could be an incubator for this creative process.”
“I would say that this show is about courage and trust,” said Erica Harrison, associate curator at GRACE. “I am really happy we were part of a catalyst to make this exhibit. It is powerful when two people can come together to cohesively share a passion through visual means.”
The exhibit will be on display at GRACE until July 5 and is open to the public. Artists and art lovers founded GRACE in 1974 as a source of cultural enrichment for the new community of Reston. The gallery is located at 12001 Market St. #103 in Reston, and its website is www.restonarts.org.