VALERIE SAMUEL HENDERSON
Pilgrimage
July 2023
Pilgrimage, a show by Valerie Samuel Henderson, opened at She/They Gallery on Saturday, July 1 for the Santa Ana Art Walk.
Steeped in the influence of Judy Chicago’s The Dinner Party, Henderson’s art encapsulated the spirit of empowerment. In Pilgrimage, Henderson presented a collection of twenty small silk pieces, delicately hand-hemmed, and featuring intricate designs inspired by a photograph she took on her way to see the permanent installation of The Dinner Party at the Brooklyn Museum. Through the use of stencils, markers, spray paints, and more, Henderson combined various media to create an installation that invited viewers to join her journey and explore themes of self-renewal.
Opening night at the Art Walk.
Accompanying Henderson’s work was a table in the center of the gallery set with plates co-created by local artists. Prior to creating their contribution to this re-imagined Dinner Party, each artist was given a plain white ceramic plate as a canvas, and was asked to consider both what it means to have a place at the table, as well as those who may have helped them along their journey there.
Artists, clockwise: Robin Johnson @robinjohnsonart, Renee Ortiz @reneeortizstudios, Ariana Montanez @arianamontanez, Anita Enriquez @anitaenriquezstudio, Kate Ryan @kateryanstudio, Kristina Rose Baker @krbakerart, Gabrielle L. McLean @beingbriemclean
About Valerie
Valerie Samuel Henderson is a visual artist, specializing in installation, film, and mixed media works. She completed a BFA in Painting at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design in Boston and later attended a graduate program in Visual Art at the University of California, San Diego. She has taught various types of art, including experimental drawing, monoprinting, and collage to both children and adults.
Her current work plays with the possibilities of different kinds of silk in compositions that she thinks of as being akin to jazz. Valarie is actively committed to community building and growing a dialogue with artists into a larger vision.
