This week, the Oak Cliff Cultural Center is opening its doors to "As I Lay It All To Rest," a solo exhibition by Chantal Lesley, an Austin-based artist whose multicultural background informs her poignant explorations of identity and grief. According to the City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture, the show kicks off with an artist talk at 5:30 p.m., followed by a reception, all taking place Saturday, August 2, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the cultural center.
Lesley's experience, growing up along the U.S./Mexico border as the child of Peruvian and German immigrants, sets the stage for her work to candidly reflect on themes of belonging and the nuances of contemporary social and political climates. In her latest exhibition, she aims to visually converse with audiences by uncovering memories and emotions that often go unspoken. The Oak Cliff Cultural Center suggests that "As I Lay It All To Rest" is Lesley's attempt to finally make peace with grief, to not just overcome, but to learn to coexist with the unsettling feelings that haunt one's memories.
An impressive résumé precedes Lesley's solo show at the OC3. Having earned her BFA from Texas State University in 2021, her work has since crisscrossed the nation with notable spots including the Houston Center for Photography and the Humble Arts Foundation in New York. The artist recently completed a residency at KUNSTRAUM in Brooklyn, followed by a stint at Kala in Berkeley, all of which has undoubtedly honed her already impactful artistic voice.
