KITA RICH - Exhibition at GALLERY Land Collective
Enjoy the opening reception for PASTEL PAVEMENT, this month's GALLERY Land Collective exhibition by local artist and landscape designer KITA RICH, opposite our Antique Garden Tool Collection of implements spanning the 18th through the 20th centuries.
Exhibition Statement:
This exhibition documents the city as it is now, capturing its essence amidst rapid gentrification and constant development. The city transforms with every blink of an eye, and this is my current perception of it through my pastel tinted glasses.
I hope everyone who views this exhibition finds some type of a connection, whether through a familiar location, the feeling of a neighborhood, comforting colors, or warm textures.
Often when we think about landscape architecture we think of the physical landscape, however, there is so much more than just the physical.
The city is a collage of people, materials, memories, and culture. This is embedded into the landscape. The goal of my art has always sought to capture this intricate mosaic.
Artist Bio:
Kita Rich's art is more than just a creative pursuit; it's a dedicated mission to uplift, celebrate, and safeguard Black spaces and communities. With a firm belief that public art should be a source of strength and connection, Kita emphasizes the importance of community in their work. As a landscape architect, they quickly realized that the true value of public art lies in its daily interactions with the community it serves.
Growing up amidst the serene landscapes of Oslo, Norway, and the dynamic streets of NYC, Kita developed a deep appreciation for public spaces. This upbringing fueled their passion for landscape architecture, leading them to pursue professional endeavors focused on crafting designs that enrich, support, and foster inclusivity within urban environments.
At the same time, Kita's personal artistic journey is intimately connected to their commitment to uplifting and safeguarding Black spaces and communities. Through collaborative efforts with the communities they serve, Kita's art evolves into a captivating collage, where diverse voices and experiences intertwine to create a vibrant tapestry of cultural preservation.
In their creative process, Kita employs two main methods of creation. Firstly, they craft collage renderings that capture the essence of neighborhoods and individuals, illustrating spaces nurtured by generational love and growth. These artworks offer a unique perspective on Philadelphia, reflecting the city through the eyes of its lifelong residents. Embedded within each piece are the memories and experiences shared about these spaces, imbuing them with profound significance and transforming them into reflections of a community's history and identity.
From there, Kita takes these stories and experiences and embeds them back into the landscape itself, allowing those who have collaborated or have connections to these spaces to see themselves reflected within the landscapes they've helped shape. This approach fosters a connection between art and community, cultivating a sense of ownership and belonging among those who call these spaces home.
