Nikesha Breeze

Black Archive
January 31 – March 16

View press on the show in The Albuquerque Journal, on ARTSY.net, and on KOAT 7. 

A museum gallery with artwork on the walls. In the foreground, there is a sculpture made of branches, cotton, and other materials. The sculpture is set on a circular base with scattered debris. In the mid-ground, two framed portraits are hanging on the wall.
A modern art gallery with white walls and wooden flooring exhibits a collection of artworks. There are framed portraits on the walls and a shelf displaying small sculptures and objects. Track lighting illuminates the space.
An art gallery showcasing portraits, mostly of individuals, hanging on white walls. Two ornate chairs with red roses on one face a small framed photo. The room has soft lighting from track lights on the ceiling, and a large painting is displayed prominently on the right wall.
A gallery room features three artworks on white walls. One large painting on the right depicts several figures in dark attire from historical times. A smaller, monochrome portrait is on a distant left wall, and another detailed painting is partially visible further left.
A dramatic sculpture features a human figure with an ornate, patterned cloak. The head is crowned by a nest with white objects resembling birds. Branches extend from the shoulders, entwined with roses. The chest has a ribcage representation. The base resembles roots.
A sepia-toned portrait features two young girls in period attire. The older girl stands, holding a large hat and wearing a long dress, while the younger girl sits on a chair in a light-colored dress. The backdrop includes a worn wall and a staircase.
A framed painting depicts a solemn woman seated with a basket in her hands. She wears a dark dress, a bonnet, and a cloak, all rendered in sepia tones. The backdrop shows draped curtains, adding a vintage aura to the portrait. The ornate frame has golden accents.
A black and white sketch of a man seated on a surface, wearing a loose-fitting suit with a vest. The background shows a textured, cracked pattern. The sketch is framed in a maroon and gold frame with an oval matte.
A framed pencil drawing depicts two barefoot boys standing side by side. Both wear hats and ragged clothing, with one boy holding a stick and the other a bundle. The background consists of a simple textured wall.
A black and white historical photograph of a young girl standing next to a chair. She is dressed in period clothing and is looking directly at the camera with a serious expression. The image has a cracked, aged appearance and is set within an oval frame.
Two wooden chairs with upholstered dark blue and gold seats feature vintage portraits on their backs. A small round table with a vase of red roses stands between the chairs, creating a serene space that evokes the artistic sensibilities of Nikesha Breeze, in a minimalist room with light-colored flooring and walls.
Black and white illustration of a historical figure in profile view, depicted with detailed, textured lines on a cracked surface, creating an aged and timeless appearance.
A grayscale portrait of a woman in Victorian attire with a high-necked blouse and large bow. The image appears to be aged and cracked, giving it a vintage or historic feel. The woman's expression is serene and contemplative.
A painting depicts a seated elderly man dressed in a dark jacket and light pants. His right hand rests on his face, and several long sticks lean against the wall beside him. The image has a vintage look with a decorative frame. Books can be seen in the background.
A painted artwork depicting five individuals dressed in historical attire, camouflaged in shades of gray and black. Three figures stand holding sticks or tools, while two sit on the ground. A wooden arch with intricate details forms the backdrop, set in an ornate frame.
A black and white painting by Nikesha Breeze showcases a young woman with braided hair, wearing a bow and formal attire. The artwork is set in an ornate oval gold frame adorned with intricate floral and leaf designs, against a plain white wall.
A portrait painting by Nikesha Breeze depicts an elderly woman wearing glasses and a white headscarf, set in an ornate, oval-shaped gold frame. The woman has a calm expression and is donning a detailed, high-neck garment. The neutral background ensures attention remains on her serene face.
A vintage portrait by Nikesha Breeze features a young child in a white dress with ruffled sleeves and collar, holding a hat in one hand. The image is set in an ornate, gold-toned oval frame with intricate designs, hung against a plain white wall.
A small, oval portrait framed in an ornate, vintage golden frame. The painting features a young person with dark skin and short curly hair, dressed in dark clothing and a white collar, against a neutral background. The frame has floral decorations reminiscent of Nikesha Breeze's artistic style.
A wooden box filled with vintage stereoscope cards is open on a white surface. Next to the box is a handheld stereoscope viewer with one stereograph card inserted, depicting a black-and-white image of a forest scene. The background is plain white.
Art installation of a sculpture with a human-like face and body draped in an ornate, patterned fabric. The head is adorned with cotton branches and an antler-like structure. The sculpture’s back is decorated with flowers and twigs, merging nature and human form.
An art gallery features a sculpture of a masked figure adorned with branches and flowers on the left and a sepia-toned portrait of two individuals, one holding a child, hanging on the right wall. The space has light wooden flooring and several bright windows.
A gallery wall displaying an artwork on the left side depicting a seated figure in a historical setting. On the right, text on the wall reads: "Nikesha Breeze {Black Archive}" along with a quote by Frederick Douglass from "Pictures and Progress." The gallery space is well-lit.
A modern art gallery with wooden floors and white walls showcasing framed artworks, including pieces by Nikesha Breeze. The right wall displays black and white portraits, while the back wall features other works. The gallery is well-lit with ceiling spotlights, and large windows are visible at the far end.
A gallery room with four framed black and white portraits on the walls. In the corner, there are two wooden chairs with ornate carvings and floral upholstery, facing each other with a small round table in between, holding a bouquet of red roses.
An art gallery displays two framed artworks on white walls. The left piece features a monochrome portrait of a person with a serene expression. The right artwork, larger and in color, depicts a seated person resting their head on their hand with an assortment of sticks nearby.
An art gallery room displaying a large framed painting of five people in period clothing and three small figurines. To the right, a small wall-mounted shelf holds several small items, including a tiny frame and three circular portraits.
A display features four antique portrait photos in ornate oval frames mounted on a wall. Below, a wooden box containing old photographs is flanked by two vintage stereoscope viewers, each holding a picture card for 3D viewing.
A contemporary art gallery with light wood flooring, white walls, and ceiling track lighting. The room showcases various minimalist artworks including framed black and white drawings by Nikesha Breeze and small sculptures on shelves. Natural light enters through large windows at the back.
Exhibition Catalog

Press Release

Richard Levy Gallery is pleased to present Black Archive, a solo exhibition of paintings, photographs, and sculptural installations by Nikesha Breeze.

Nikesha Breeze’s Black Archive encompasses a variety of mediums and explores themes of restoration. Southern Comfort features two antique chairs symbolizing the opulence and superficial gentility of the Antebellum South. The restored upholstery juxtaposes luxurious silk jacquard fabric with hand-harvested cotton and human hair stuffing. Pastoral Scenes presents reproduced antique stereographs depicting African American life in the late 1800s, capturing scenes of daily life and landscapes. Black Archive also includes recent works from the series Archival Portraiture and W.E.B. Du Bois Portraits in addition to a site specific installation, Land Effigy. This interdisciplinary approach aims to prompt viewers to reconsider established historical narratives and engage with history in a new light.

Nikesha Breeze is an African American/Assyrian interdisciplinary artist, activist, and educator. She was recently selected by the New Mexico Women in the Arts as one of five Women to Watch in New Mexico in 2024. The Equal Justice Initiative commissioned Breeze to recreate 108 Death Masks in bronze, to be unveiled at the Freedom Monument Sculpture Park in Montgomery, AL, alongside other notable Black contemporary artists. This monument and Breeze’s work were recently featured in the New York Times.  The artist currently lives and works in Taos.

 

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High-resolution images are available on request. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook: @levygallery @nikeshabreeze #blackarchive #nikeshabreeze 

Dates: January 31–March 16, 2024
Reception: Saturday, February 17, 6–8 pm
Hours: Thursday–Saturday, 11 am–4 pm or by appointment
Location: 514 Central Avenue SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102
Contact: 505.766.9888, info@levygallery.com, www.levygallery.com @levygallery

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Nikesha Breeze
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