The Arts + Leisure
project space in East Harlem is currently presenting a collection of work by
Sophia Narrett for a show titled This
Meant Nothing. For her first solo show
in New York City, Narrett offers four embroidered paintings that revolve around
themes of longing for love and sexuality as well as longing for more material
things such as luxury, fashion, and beauty. These four works of art
tell a story based on Narrett’s real-life experiences and the relationship
between Lauren Morelli, the writer of the Netflix original series Orange is the New Black, and Samira
Wiley, an actress on the show.
The first painting
titled The Rose Ceremony illustrates
a scene from the reality television series The
Bachelor on which Narrett was once a contestant. The scene depicts several
people gathered for a special event held in an outdoor garden at which Wiley
and Morelli are both present. Several people can be seen standing in a row
facing the center of the room where Samira can be seen wearing a bright yellow
dress holding Lauren’s hand pulling her forward as Lauren turns her body away
pulling Samira back.
 |
| Stars Align (2014, embroidery thread on fabric) |
The next painting
titled Stars Align features Samira
and Lauren as though they were Adam and Eve walking through a place very much
resembling the Garden of Eden, trying to navigate their way through new,
unexplored territory that’s like an Earthly paradise. The two women are
surrounded by colorful wildflowers and several men and women at various
different spots, many of who are engaged in sexual activity.
About her work, Narrett
has said, “My images are driven by an effort to make exactly
what I want to see and to express an honest fantasy. Through the creation of
stylized fictional situations, I imagine stories of embodiment, beauty,
eroticism, personality, fear, and resignation within a collapsing fantasy. The
decadence of the images, in their content as well as their construction,
becomes a futile yet desperately desired condition of escape.”
Sophia Narrett studied
painting at the Rhode Island School of Design before receiving her B.A. in
Visual arts from Brown University. Her work has been featured in numerous solo
and group exhibitions across the country and around the world.
At Arts + Leisure, 1571 Lexington Ave. (between 100th and 101st streets), through Jun.
28. The space is open Wed.—Sun. from 11 a.m.—6 p.m., or by appointment.
