81C presents an art exhibition pop-up for local artist, digital illustrator and 2024 Miss Earth USVI Brianna McSween, on view in the 81C Coffee + Wine Bar through April 21. Showcased are five works of digital art printed on canvas, representing figurative works with themes of varying natural elements, such as water, fire, air and earth. Hours are noon to 8 p.m. on the weekdays, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
About Miss Earth Affiliation:
In January 2024, The Miss U.S. Virgin Islands organization, through their official social media, announced Brianna McSween as the newly crowned Miss Earth U.S. Virgin Islands 2024 as she became the official representative of the USVI at Miss Earth 2024, which will be held in Vietnam.
McSween is a 22-year-old aspiring conceptual designer and model from St. Thomas. McSween, through her reign, would like to promote her platform called “Modeling an Eco-Loving Lifestyle” where she will take people on a journey of loving the earth, protecting the future and paving the way to daily sustainable practices.
Meanwhile, Jared Shomo’s exhibition, “Element,” is on view in the 81C Main Gallery through June.
Both shows opened Friday, April 12, simultaneously with a large turnout of over 250 attendees.
Show Description:
“Jared Shomo’s “Element” is a collection of surreal infrared photography offering viewers a dreamlike take on the U.S. Virgin Islands. A nearly futuristic force is at work within these images, which span sea, land and society. Trees become silver and blue explosions. Ocean appears nearly black until its transformation to gold at shore. Dancers have taken to the streets in celebration beneath a sunburnt, smoke-filled sky. “Element” is a vision, a reflection and a portal. This exhibition is Jared Shomo’s second full-scale show at 81C in Charlotte Amalie.” –The curators, 81C, April 2023
Artist Statement:
“I want this collection, “Element,” to serve as a meditation in simplicity; an escape from the rapid pace, accumulation and compound interest; a visitation not only to the natural elements, but also a spark to the core element of spirit unseen. This is a visual journey to explore expressions of nature that are beyond the limits of our human perception. Infrared photography reveals a spectrum of light that exists just outside the range of human sight. It opens up a world that is foreign and intriguing, yet peaceful and surreal.” – Jared Shomo, April 2023, Charlotte Amalie
Artist Bio:
Jared Shomo (b. 1979) is a multi-disciplinary artist, living on St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands. “Art has always been a way of life for me. Both of my parents were self-taught stained glass artists, and I started learning that craft from a very young age. I have also always had a fascination with cameras from earliest memory, but I started taking photography and videography seriously around 2005. I began experimenting with infrared photography around 2013.”
Jared’s artistic style is mostly inspired by nature and landscapes, while sometimes venturing into abstracts and minimalist photography.
About:
81C — Visit www.81CVI.COM or https://linktr.ee/81cvi for more information or visit their Instagram or Facebook: @81CVI.
