Heading into the holiday season, many are overwhelmed with memories of people, years, and celebrations past. They can lead to emotional moments and unexpected connections. A Pop-up Art Show curated by the photographer Jie Deng, The Hue of Memories, brings together six artists working in different mediums. The show invites viewers into a layered journey through the stages of life, exploring the essence of memory, identity, and connection.
“The Hue of Memories draws inspiration from my father’s story,” said Deng. “Several years ago, my father suffered a stroke that profoundly impacted his ability to communicate verbally. However, in the face of this challenge, he discovered a new language—collage making. Each day, he would sit quietly, meticulously piecing together old photos of family, friends, and cherished moments. Through this process, he found a way to express his thoughts, memories, and emotions, bridging the gap between words and feelings.”
The show is a collage itself, using color as a guide to unfold in sections which represent the vibrancy of youth, the intensity and complexity of adulthood, the introspection of later years, and the legacy left behind. The six artists—C. C. Czerwinski, Jill Beech, Jie Deng, Katee Boyle, Lauren E. Peters, and Samara Weaver—show their unique perspectives in a montage of painting, sculpture, and photography.
Katee Boyle, an innovative artist working in a wide range of mediums, is showing a new series of pastel-based paintings along with several sculptural pieces. “My narrative is based on the human condition: love, identity, and legacy as told from the intertwined veil of motherhood and daughterhood with an ever-present tension between elation and sorrow,” she said. “The work speaks to the beauty of deep connections and the inevitable separations that come with time and change in the journey of life.”
Light is an incredibly important aspect of this show, infusing the photography and paintings, but also being used as a medium itself by the sculptural forms. “My work often involves shadows, hints and reflections, organic forms, and muted natural colours,” said Jill Beech. “Foreboding did influence several paintings,” she said, hoping each person would see, interpret, and think about all the works in a different manner.
Memories are ephemeral in nature, changing as they are colored by experience and time. “I decided to approach the theme by thinking about the textures and hues of memories—how they fade, overlap, and sometimes resurface unexpectedly,” Deng said. “Using film photography felt like the perfect medium to capture that essence, as it has its own imperfections and timeless quality.”
The personal aspect of Deng’s curation influenced not only the artworks selected for this show, but also how the display moves through the stages of life. “This exhibition allowed me to combine my creative passions with a deeply personal story about my father and the ways memories connect us across generations,” she said. “I was thinking about the quiet, everyday moments that often go unnoticed but hold so much meaning over time.”
While this show only exits for a few days, the experience is meant to linger in memory. “The message I hope visitors takeaway is that memories, though fragile and fleeting, create a lasting thread between us all,” said Deng. “I want them to see how art can help us preserve, reflect, and communicate what words sometimes cannot.”
The Opening Reception for the show will be held Friday, Nov. 22 from 4 to 7 pm, and the show will be on view again Saturday, Nov. 23 from 11 am to 4 pm. It is held at 5716 Kennett Pike, Suite M, Centreville, DE.
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