Bilá Ashdlá' (Five Fingered People) Opens in Shade Gallery

PHOENIX - April 14, 2016 - PRLog -- Shade Projects is proud to present Bilá Ashdlá' (Five Fingered People), the solo exhibition of local artist, Jeff Slim. This exhibition will showcase the continuation of his two series "Pollen Boy" and "Beyond the Reed Series" both series depict the artist's personal interpretations of his culture. His good friend and musician Ryan Dennison created the concept of the "Pollen Boy Series" and allowed Slim to depict his photographs of him as Pollen Boy which he then decided to create a painting series around it. Slim said he shares similar ideas and was inspired by Dennison stating, "It is so inspiring that he has created his own path and voice incorporating his life growing up on the reservation along with life today". Slim will also be exhibiting new work from his "Beyond the Reed" that explores the Diné creation story while incorporating and depicting people of today and what he calls "Navajo now".

Slim is of Diné descent and his heritage is deeply woven throughout his artwork, inaddition to utilizing vintage photos of family and friends juxtaposed against his friends and family of today, examining the ancestral, the Traditional, and today. Slim prefers to utilize various mediums such as acrylic and spray paint in his paintings creating a striking layering effect blended with subtle pop culture imagery, in addition to examining his own feelings and ideas about his ancestry and family today while staying connected to his Navajo community and residing in Phoenix. Painting allows him the freedom of"continuous exploration of ways to communicate and connect with my surroundings", as well as revisiting the past, researching stories, and experiencing the present.

The artist has exhibited at a variety of galleries across the valley as well as New Mexico, including Blue Rain Gallery, 1Spot Gallery, the Onley Gallery, the Hive, Willo North Gallery, and the monOrchid just to name a few.  Slim's artwork has been featured in numerous publications both online and in print including The Arts Beacon, Arizona Republic, LocalRevibe, Phoenix Magazine, and Phoenix New Times, which also honored him as a 2015 Big Brain Award Finalist. Slim has been a member of the Black Sheep Art Collective since 2009, an arts group that works to connect young and older Native artists.

The monOrchid and Shade Projects curator, Nicole Royse will host the Opening Reception on First Friday, May 6^th, 2016 from 6-10pm with the artist in attendance and live music from Ryan Dennison. The closing reception will be held on Third Friday, May 20^th, 2016 from 6-9pm. Bilá Ashdlá' (Five Fingered People) will be on display in Shade Gallery at the monOrchid from May 6^th until May 29^th, 2016. Please visit our website for more information at monorchid.com and all exhibition inquiries please contact Shade Projects Curator, Nicole Royse.