Vaivén

The McEachern Art Center, in collaboration with ACA Gallery in New York, presents Vaivén, featuring the work of Afro-Caribbean figurative artist Kandy Lopez.

Lopez’s work explores constructed identities, telling stories of people of color. Her current series is centered around large, yarn-based portraits on plastic canvas. Initially designed to be walked on like a rug, these pieces symbolize the marginalization of people of color in this country. In this exhibition, the portraits are elevated on gallery walls and suspended—transforming these works into symbols of strength, courage, and beauty, reclaiming space that often feels inaccessible.

 Alongside these portraits, viewers will encounter large-scale paintings of silhouettes created with dots, reminiscent of pointillism. These shapes reflect the societal grids that divide us, pointing to the violence often inflicted upon marginalized bodies. These paintings are meant to be walked on, inviting the audience to engage directly with the work and activate the space. This participatory element is central to the show’s title, Vaivén, which translates to “sway” or “movement,” emphasizing the tension between hesitation and action. The act of walking on the art reflects the experience of how these figures have been treated in society.

Featuring Kandy Lopez

Born in New Jersey, she moved with her family to Florida at a young age. She received her BFA and BS from the University of South Florida, concentrating in Painting and Marketing/Management. She received her MFA with a concentration in Painting from Florida Atlantic University in 2014. She has taught at Florida Atlantic University, Daytona State College, and is now teaching as an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication, Media and Arts at the Halmos College of Art & Sciences at NOVA Southeastern University.

As an Afro-Caribbean visual artist, Lopez is eager to be challenged materialistically and metaphorically when representing marginalized individuals that inspire and move her. Her works are created out of the necessity to learn something new about her people and culture. Lopez is interested in developing a nostalgic dialogue between the artwork and the viewer. If she’s not learning from her materials and how it affects the message, it's not worth creating.

Lopez’s Use of Fibers and Textiles

Lopez began incorporating fiber and textile work into her practice in 2015 and began considering these pieces as paintings in 2021. Textiles have a deep history across many cultures and art movements, often before gender politics were considered. Her work challenges the exclusion of these cultures from mainstream art narratives.

 As a professor, Lopez’s research is integral to her creative process. Her work is not only a technical exploration of textiles but also an investigation of patterns, symbols, and the cultural significance embedded in the clothing of the figures she portrays. Through these materials, she decodes messages about identity, history, and culture, offering new perspectives on both the individuals she depicts and the broader societal context.

OPENING RECEPTION

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7TH AT 6PM

FEATURING ARTIST PRESENTATION, BEVERAGES, AND LITE BITES

—FREE ADMISSION—

MCEACHERN ART CENTER

332 SECOND STREET

MACON, GA

31201