Immersed in a show of elemental colors, shattered reflections and the limitless bounds of the psyche is a pensive exhibition deeming a prevalent revelation: How does one seek God within themself, and what does that look like?
With his latest solo exhibit, “Primordial Spirit: Transcendence of Duality,” D.C. artist Blake Pierre transforms U Street’s Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts Gallery into an exploration of self, spirituality and the realms in which they coexist, illustrating the union of divine masculine and feminine as a catalyst to self-actualization and spiritual awakening.
As Pierre touted muses and intentions, he reflected on challenging ideals that duel in society – good versus bad, love versus fear – in accordance with the potential to achieve wholesomeness and enlightenment, a mission he noted is particularly pertinent in a time overcome with “information overload,” progressive technology, and divisiveness.
“I think the biggest thing for people now is really having wisdom and having a spirit of discernment,” Pierre explained. “Being able to listen to your inner voice and seeing what actually aligns with me, and what aligns with my truth, and how should I move about.”
Pierre told The Informer the call to spiritual alignment includes a renewed relationship with self, just as much as the powers to redefine faith within. Particularly within the Black community, this means reshaping the ancestral culture of religion and spiritual illumination.
“Religion and slavery has a huge impact on how we perceive spirituality and how we have for hundreds of years. Our people are still coming out of that and [its] effects, so we have to kind of redefine our relationship to God and spirituality,” Pierre told The Informer, “and what that looks like for us.”
Bringing Art and the Psyche to Life
According to Pierre, an educator at Duke Ellington School of the Arts, fulfilling that mission stems from learning how to master one’s mind in conjunction with a respect for transcending duality, or recognizing the balance of opposing themes to achieve a holistic perception of reality and self.
Leveraging concepts such as Hieros Gamos, Jungian psychology, and divine light, in addition to some Biblical references, “Primordial Spirit” parallels fusions of artistic crafts like shadow work (a spiritual practice), acrylics, oils, spray paint, glass, and crystals to impose a deep dive into how enlightenment can be obtained from a union of the human psyche.
Among the eight to nine artworks, pieces like “Black Hole Sun” duels the origins of life, depicting Black women as the sun beside the opposing energy of the black hole that cosmology theories say birthed the universe. Meanwhile, “Treasures of Darkness,” inspired by the practice of shadow work, encompasses the symbolism of stones as a test to the “truth of a matter,” highlighting the intentionality of exploring the “darker aspects” of oneself as a means to overcome and move towards light.
Crediting his wife, an apparent muse of the show, on his own journey of self-development, Pierre noted the importance of relationships that offer a “mirror reflection” as a tool for ascension and introspection. While the exhibit shines a light on the psychological concept of self-actualization, the relationship that blossoms is a mastery of one’s own reality and how it can affect others, which can prompt that “inner voice” of spiritual guidance.
“When infusing spirituality and [these conversations], it’s all intentful for people to be able to really reflect on their own relationship with themselves and how they can deepen that relationship,” said the exhibit creator. “I think it’s very important for artists to make people think, and I just choose to make people think more so about their relationship to self and how they could grow that.”
Jabari Jefferson – another local artist whose solo exhibit is currently on display at the Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum – commended Pierre’s style and execution of “Primordial Spirit” in an artist talk with the creator on May 25.
After noting the artwork “feels very much alive,” he spoke of the importance of art as a tool for challenging philosophy with contemporary times.
“That inner conversation and inner voice is needed now more than ever,” said Jefferson. “It’s inspiring to see work that comes from a mindset and a philosophy but it doesn’t feel stale.”
Redefining Faith vs. Spirituality
Beyond a colorful array of symbolism, “Primordial Spirit” projects another core contrast of modern society – faith versus spirituality.
Notably, duality in faith is not a foreign notion, especially in Christianity where tangible actions are measured in the guise of Christ-like behavior.
However, Pierre, who was raised on Christian values, notes how generational teachings of God’s word has led to some misinterpretations that disregard the fact that the Bible is “highly metaphysical and highly symbolic.”
“The people that taught us, they didn’t know that. They dealt with it from a historical point of view, and when you do that, you can miss a lot of the esoteric knowledge and wisdom in the Bible,” Pierre said, adding that the Bible still holds relevance in modern times. “The way that we interpret it and read it is going to have to change.”
Thus, the solo exhibition dons pieces like “Spiritual Alignment” a personal favorite touted by Jefferson on May 25, that portrays the distinguishing alignments between soul and spirit.
In reference to the Greek interpretation of “God, the Father,” which Pierre told The Informer simply means source, the portrait outlines two women holding hands amid a symbolic ocean backdrop, where the ether masks the spiritual realm, while electromagnetic energy that comes from the earth is portrayed through the symbolism of fire.
With one woman’s complexion illuminating the spiritual being, the distinct portrait offers a nod to the Biblical tier of tapping into source through one’s higher self, which Pierre adds can look like anything from prayer and meditation to engaging in an activity.
“People aren’t necessarily getting away from a relationship with God, it’s just being redefined, and [they] are being more empowered and understand that God is within you,” Pierre explained. “Then you understand how to access it, instead of looking to some outside entity to serve you or to help you out. It’s not how it works.”
Further, a person can derive a heightened sense of empowerment when they’ve become a master of their own mind, and consequently, be able to shape and recreate their truth.
“This is a life journey, man. Anything can happen tomorrow and traumatize you,” the educator emphasized. “You have to be able to get back into alignment and the slate of things in life. Ultimately, I think this knowledge and the conversations that we have can bring a lot of people a lot of wisdom, to really navigate their reality with more power.”
As “Primordial Spirit” brings visitors through July 12, Pierre hopes the exhibition will be a pivotal conversation starter where many can reflect on their own ability to deepen a relationship with self, while also serving as a boost for other artists on the cusp of chasing a dream.
Further, he added a goal to see African Americans tap into “more of their spiritual roots” and learn the deeds of – and beyond – ancestry, as opposed to doing away with religion.
“[I hope to see them] practice going within, more than looking to a God outside of themselves, or a man outside of yourself – anything outside of yourself,” Pierre told The Informer. “I would say look within first for the answers, for whatever it is you’re looking for, and really get into practices that can further that whole process along.”