~ artwork ~
I recently had 3 artworks accepted into Art 634‘s exhibition “Facing Realities: An Exploration of All Facets of “Face.” This is the 2nd of their 3-part themed exhibition – “The Power of Words: A Transformative Art Series” – held throughout 2025.
(Click here to see the artworks from the first exhibition “Expanding Horizons: An Exploration of Space.”)
“Facing Realities: An Exploration of All Facets of “Face” explores the multifaceted meanings of the word “Face.” From literal human features to metaphorical concepts like facing challenges or societal expectations, artists offer diverse interpretations of “face” in its emotional, cultural, and architectural dimensions. Through various mediums, the show highlights the courage in confronting adversity, the masks we wear for social reputation, and the transformative power of facing one’s emotions and truths.
I appreciate Art 634 for the opportunity to showcase my artwork in this group exhibition.
Details below…
Artwork #1: “Contemplation” (photography, luster print)
Artist Statement: When shooting portraits, I love catching the “in-between” moments. Freezing time when the person is caught up in their own world. This is a picture of my cousin’s daughter the month before her college graduation. I’m used to seeing her with a huge smile on her face so in this contemplative moment I can’t help but wonder what is going through her mind?
“Contemplation” is a universal commonality brought forth as life shifts and changes, sometimes seeming for the good, sometimes seeming for the ill. But in the end, things always seem to work themselves out. In these contemplative moments, I find myself intrigued … what’s the reality we’re facing, and what’s the story we’re telling ourselves?
Artwork #2: “advice wisdom” (readymade with poem)
Poem within artwork:
You would tell a friend…
“Listen to those who build you up,
and disregard those who tear you down.”
So why do we find it so hard
to take our own advice? wisdom
Why do we so easily become
our own worst enemy
and struggle to become
our own best friend?
Look in the mirror and tell yourself
what you would tell a friend…
“Listen to those who build you up,
and disregard those who tear you down.”
Artist Statement: I’m inspired by the readymade artwork of Marcel Duchamp, specifically “Fountain” under the name R. Mutt, 1917 (blog post about it here). He was a leader in pushing beyond art as aesthetic alone and greatly stoked the fire of conception taking precedence. Not that art can’t be both, but he stressed concept as the vitality that made art worthwhile — an opinion that resonates with me deeply.
I believe the biggest battle we face as a people is the battle within our own mind. When we can learn to put down our weapons and embrace our internal enemy with love, battlefields can become beautiful gardens once again. The poem written on the mirror gives insight as to how we can empower our internal best friend. And when we do so, we weaken the grip of the internal enemy. Over time, this habitual repetition of embracing grace-filled truth with the conscious mind will displace the clinging clench of internally-oppressive lies embedded in the subconscious.
The poem was originally entitled “advice,” but I often re-fresh poems when I join them with artwork as a new day brings me to a new place of being. In general, I quite enjoy breaking words apart and the first time I wrote the title on the mirror it struck me as “add-vice.” Why would I want to “add to the vice” of ill emotion? “Wisdom” immediately came to mind. A “wise kingdom.” Might that be where a best friend would reside? Yes, that felt like a more fitting title.
Also, advice tends to come from external sources versus the still small voice within. Not that it can’t be relevant and helpful. But it is important to always quiet oneself first. As all answers can be found in the space within. Followed by breadcrumbs (confirmations) exhibiting in the external world, for those aware. The internal is to be primary. The external is to be secondary. Seek first the kingdom of God – and that kingdom is within.
Artwork #3: “Face-to-Face” (mixed media with poem)
Face-to-Face was originally showcased (with a slight tweak) in the Ottawa County Trust Exhibition, summer 2024.
Poem within artwork:
Some call it liquid courage;
I call it a facade
for nothing outside of yourself
will ever give you
what must come from within.
Addiction—
a learned coping mechanism,
a way to escape
from what haunts the mind.
Empowering courage comes
from facing those fearful feelings,
trekking through to the other side
where the fall of healing waters
will be found.
Artist Statement: “Face-to-Face” was inspired by the impact of an alcohol addiction and the Old Testament story in the Bible of the Israelites being bit by venomous snakes. Whether you struggle with an addiction or you love someone who does, I see similarities between these two situations.
This past spring, I was cleaning in my basement and came across some empty liquor bottles. I adamantly wanted them gone. Despite the fact I really like the unique shapes and beveled designs, after having yet another issue with alcohol, just the sight of them brought forth some very strong emotion. Gathering them together I placed them at the front door with all intent to purge them from my house, but for some reason I didn’t do so. It seemed ridiculous that just the sight of these empty liquor bottles was causing such a strong emotional reaction. Then it occurred what was happening—I was handing my power over to an external object. The bottles had no power over me except that which I gave them. That quick moment reminded me of the Old Testament story when the Israelites were bitten by venomous snakes …
The Lord said to Moses, “Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it AND live.” Moses did so. Then when anyone was bitten and looked upon the elevated bronze snake, they lived. – Numbers 21:8-9
We often give our power over to people, places, and things and then feel the pull of their control. When we take our God-given power back, we will find these things no longer cling to us because we know longer cling to them. We are able to let go only by facing them for what they truly are—misplaced power.
The broken pieces of glass inside symbolize the brokenness within ourselves and the brokenness that our actions have caused. But God desires to paint beauty over this pain. This is the healing transformation, and it is a promise.
And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant [promise] I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant …” Genesis 12:-13a
The rainbow we see is from earth’s perspective, but when we see the mirroring colors of a double rainbow, might that be from heaven’s viewpoint? That is why red is at the base and the colors move upward. This color pattern also aligns with chakras and their respective rainbow colors.
Every healing journey has a starting point—the courage to surrender, to wave the white flag to the Almighty. This journey back home has highs and lows, but as we move along, pressing into our relationship with God, our awareness grows and our union of wholeness and oneness deepens—making all things new.
When you face your struggles (internal “demons”), it is your faith that has the power to heal you. It is God within expanding eternal truth which displaces perishable lies. Faith is choosing to believe regardless of what you see in front of you. It is seeing with the eyes of your heart.
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” – Hebrews 11:1
Facing Realities: An Exploration of All Facets of “Face
Exhibition runs July 11 – August 8, 2025 at Art 634
634 N. Mechanic Street, Jackson, MI
(517) 740-9703
Blog Hero Photo by Ismael Sánchez from Pexels
Angel K Will 
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