FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Dr. Chanel Beebe
Email: chanel@beebearts.com
Beebe Arts LLC Presents “Brush and Focus”
A Debut Photography Exhibition by Dr. Chanel Beebe
A Multifaceted Exhibition by Dr. Chanel Beebe Exploring Layered Realities
Westland, MI – [Date] – Beebe Arts LLC proudly presents “Brush and Focus,” a dynamic exhibition by multidisciplinary artist Dr. Chanel Beebe, running from September 3 to September 26, 2024, at 36300 Warren Rd, Westland, MI 48185. The gallery will be open to the public daily from 9 am to 5 pm. A special reception on September 13 from 5 to 8 pm will offer guests the opportunity to meet the artist and engage in meaningful conversation.
“Brush and Focus” marks a significant evolution in Dr. Beebe’s artistic journey. While it features her debut in creative photography, the exhibition also showcases her ability to merge multiple mediums to explore the layered realities that define our existence. This collection is a deep exploration of identity, history, and community, inviting viewers to delve into the complex narratives that shape our world.
Exhibition Highlights:
Portraits from the BabaQue™ Event: A tribute to the divine masculine and the enduring legacy of African ancestral traditions within Detroit’s cultural community. These portraits honor the strength, wisdom, and leadership of Detroit’s brothers.
Photos from the REDD EXPERIENCE: This vibrant series celebrates the resilience and creativity of LGBTQ artists within Detroit's art scene, highlighting how visibility becomes an act of defiance and joy.
Photos from the JOY Project: Capturing the essence of a community space that reconnects with indigenous practices and explores the historical and current relationship of Black and Brown peoples to the soil. These images reflect the project’s mission to engage the community in conversations about heritage through food, honoring the land and its legacy.
Nature and Water Shots from Around the City: These images reveal the often-overlooked natural beauty of Detroit, telling a story of renewal and connection with the city’s environment.
New Abstract Paintings: Including works like "Proof of Life," "Triumph," and "Worlds Collide," as well as the "Grain and Vivid" series, these bold and expressive pieces represent an evolution in Dr. Beebe’s exploration of resilience, conflict, and transformation. The interplay between natural wood grain and vibrant abstract forms reflects the tension and harmony between the natural world and human creativity.
Inspired by the evocative photography and illustrations of King Khloe Katz, Dr. Beebe invites viewers to explore the beauty and complexity of our layered experiences—both personal and collective. “Brush and Focus” is a space where art, history, and community intersect, encouraging viewers to find their own connections and to contemplate the deeper narratives at play.
Exhibition Details:
Full Show: September 3 - 26, 2024
Gallery Hours: 9 am - 5 pm
Reception: September 13, 5 - 8 pm
Location: 36300 Warren Rd, Westland, MI 48185
Admission: Free
About the Artist:
Dr. Chanel Beebe is a multidisciplinary artist and educator based in Detroit, MI. Her work explores themes of identity, community, and the environment, often merging photography with painting and abstract forms. As the Founder and CEO of Beebe Arts LLC, Dr. Beebe is dedicated to fostering social equity and innovation through art, education, and community engagement. “Brush and Focus” is a continuation of her commitment to challenging norms and inspiring change through her visionary creativity.
For more information, please visit beebearts.com/brush or contact Chanel Beebe at chanel@beebearts.com.
Artist Statement
"Brush and Focus" is a deeply personal exploration of the layered realities that define our existence. As a Detroit native and self-taught abstract multimedia artist, my work has always been rooted in the desire to illuminate silenced voices and foster essential conversations about social equity. Drawing inspiration from the evocative photography and illustrations of King Khloe Katz, this exhibition marks a new chapter in my artistic journey—a debut in photography yet rooted in the expressive power of painting.
"Brush and Focus" explores the interplay between the seen and unseen, the real and imagined. By merging photography with tactile elements like gold leaf and glossy finishes, I elevate everyday moments into the sacred, inviting viewers to engage with deeper narratives. While I could have digitally designed the photos before printing, this show emphasizes how my painting skills complement my emerging photography, teaching me precision and intentionality. I am intentional with technology, preserving the power of handcrafted storytelling, especially for the meaningful stories of my subjects.
The exhibition draws from projects that are particularly meaningful to me, including the JOY Project, the BabaQue™ event, and the REDD EXPERIENCE. Through the JOY Project’s tenets of Recognition, Remembering, Reconciliation, and Restoration, I invite viewers to engage with the land's history, indigenous practices, and the African Atlantic experience that continue to shape our collective relationship with the soil and each other. The portraits from the BabaQue™ event honor the divine masculine and the enduring legacy of African ancestral traditions within Detroit’s cultural landscape. The REDD EXPERIENCE photos celebrate the resilience and creativity of LGBTQ artists, showcasing how visibility becomes an act of defiance and joy. These pieces, alongside my nature and water shots, compose a love letter to Detroit. In this city, urban resilience meets natural beauty, and where both the land and its people are in constant, dynamic evolution.
In addition to these representational works, the abstract paintings in "Brush and Focus"—including "Proof of Life," "Triumph," and "Worlds Collide"—offer a more introspective exploration of the same themes. Bold and expressive, these pieces delve into the internal landscapes of resilience, conflict, and transformation. The "Grain and Vivid" series, with its interplay of natural wood grain and vibrant abstract forms, further explores the tension and harmony between the natural world and human creativity, mirroring the layered realities that permeate the entire exhibition.
As the Founder and CEO of Beebe Arts LLC and an educator committed to equity and innovation, this exhibition reflects my mission to spark vital conversations and inspire change. "Brush and Focus" is a space where art and community meet, celebrating the layers of our shared and individual experiences. I invite you to explore these works with an open heart, discover your own connections, and leave with a renewed sense of wonder.