ARTIST STATEMENT
Cheryl D. Edwards was born in Miami Beach, Florida. She began her studies in art during 1990 in New York City in a class at the Art Student League taught by the late, Ernest Crichlow. She has been living in Washington, DC for the past 16 years. Cheryl has exhibited in many shows in the Washington, DC area.
Her interest in art stems from her fascination of the human body as a whole. Her medium is oil, ink and acrylics. After 15 years of painting nudes she has become fascinated with nature and how it relates to humanity.
EXHIBITS
Washington County Museum of Fine Art, group exhibit, Hagerstown, MD (2011)
Artists for the Anacostia, group exhibit, Eastern Market, Washington, DC
Shenandoah Art Council, Our Recent Roots Exhibit, (2011)
Torpedo Factory, Offrenda Art Exhibit, (2010)
Washington County Museum of Fine Art, group exhibit, Hagerstown, MD (2010)
Gallery That, group exhibit, Hong Kong, China, (2010)
Brentwood Center for the Arts, group exhibit, Washington, DC, (2010)
Target Gallery, group exhibit, Alexandria, VA (2010)
Wohlfarth Galleries, group exhibit, Province Town, Massachusetts, (2009)
Copyright Alliance group exhibit in the Cannon Building, Washington, DC (2009)
United States Congressional Art Judge for Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (Washington, DC) (2009)
Florence Biennale, Florence, Italy, invited to participate in December, (2009).
Sketch Book Project, traveling group exhibition (Washington, DC; Brooklyn, NY; Chicago, Illinois; Philadelphia, PA; Atlanta, A; Boston, Mass.) (2009)
Solo Exhibit, Wohlfarth Gallery, Washington, DC (2008)
Girls Gotta Run Exhibition?, Strathmore Center for the Arts Mansion, Rockville, Maryland (2008)
Black Fine Arts Exhibit, The Puck Building, New York, New York (2008)
Solo Exhibit Washington Works on Paper, Brookland, DC (2007)
James Porter Colloquium Art Auction, Washington, DC (2007)
Legacy Fine Arts Show- Camelot, Mitchellville, Maryland (2006)
Solo Exhibit – Saint Albans Society – Washington, DC (2005)
Art Series – 2007-“The Return”
The return is about the enslavement of Senegalese people and how they preserved to survive that period of darkness in their history. The work of Cheryl Edwards begins from the beginning of the most abhorred period in Senegal with the “Door of No Return”; which is geographically located in Goree Island, Senegal. The action of perseverance is depicted in semi abstract spiritual pieces of work embodied with strong symbolism, which appeals to everyone on a universal plane. The series ends with every day scenes of what Senegal looks like in today’s society.
Art Series – 2008-“Ndebele People – Dolls Ritual/Play”
This series sets forth the concept of the use of dolls by the Ndebele People of South Africa. Traditionally all over the world dolls are inevitably used for play and also used for performing rituals. The series consist of 19 artworks using a technique, which combines ink and water-soluble oils. The works depict a combination of the Ndebele people in South Africa in common everyday scenes, and the work demonstrates through creative visual the effect of the use of dolls for the purpose of performing rituals. Dolls have been historically used by the Ndebele People to enhance the possibility of marriage and childbirth. A more widespread usage is to employ a doll to assist in a healing ritual. Many of the dolls made by the Ndebele woman are representative of the traditional healers (Sangoma); they are notably recognized by their dress and always accompanied by a red blanket or cloth worn over their shoulders. This is symbolic of protection of one’s powers. This series opened for exhibit at the Wohlfarth Galleries in Washington, DC on October 17, 2008.
Art Series-2009-“New York City Water Towers”
This series depicts the simplicity and beauty of the water towers seen on the roof tops in New York City. The paintings are semi-abstract and captures the shapes and lines of the city incorporated with the balancing shapes of the water towers. The series consist of 20 paintings using the medium of ink and water soluble oils. This exhibit opened in December 2009 at the Sitar Center for the Arts, Cafritz Gallery located in Adams Morgan community in the District of Columbia.
Art Series-2010-“Modern Day Madonna”
Modern Day Madonna is an interpretation of the modern mother and son image. The eyes of each painting depict the love and the emotions of the maternal family. The series originally consist of eight painting using the medium of ink, water soluble oils and epoxy resin. One of the Madonna’s was juried into an exhibit and shown at the Washington County Museum of Fine Art.
