Royalty Not Lost:The works of Ashley Farrier

(Tulsa) The works of Ashley Farrier are featured in an exhibit titled Royalty Not Lost, in February’s First Thursday reception and exhibit. Farrier’s exhibition is primarily composed of large drawings and paintings depicting her family gathered with her and posed as one of the rare all-black European royal families.

Within this series, she brings forth a narrative of not only European royalty but also touches on the pain in her own struggle of having lost a loved one living with cancer. Ashley Farrier says, “I want the viewers to think that my paintings may be a recording of history that was lost or forgotten over time.”  

Her paintings and drawings are staged in ornate antique frames to give her pieces the ambiance of a European historical look. When asked why she choose this baroque-like theme she said, “It is my rebellion from the exhaustion and frustration with past art classes that categorized the black struggle through the lens of slavery and social objectification. It led me to imagine a time where there was no such categorization; a time when black people existed as typical in elite society.”

Her work makes a unique statement by portraying her black characters in paintings with a royal-like status. The dichotomy between her representation and the typical representation of black culture brings forth a panoply of social, racial and historical introspection for the viewer. Her creation of these pieces through oil paint captures a tradition of old-world painting, and acknowledges that oil paintings were a sign of wealth. By incorporating the mixed media to her work she embellishes the sense of quiet private moments in her characters that would not have normally been seen in the public eye.

The show begins with a reception on Thursday, February 5 from 6-9pm at Oklahomans for Equality’s The Dennis R. Neill Equality Center (621 E. 4th St. in downtown Tulsa) and continues throughout the month. There will be a door prize drawn of the artist’s work.

Founded by a dedicated group of volunteers in 1980, Oklahomans for Equality/OkEq is Oklahoma’s oldest gay rights organization. From testing for HIV/AIDS and hosting the annual Tulsa Pride and Diversity Celebration to operating the Equality Center and documenting the Tulsa LGBT community’s rich history, OkEq works for social justice and full inclusion for Oklahoma’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) citizens and their allies. www.okeq.org

The Gayly – February 1, 2015 @ 11am.