Out of The Shadows

For the month of December, the Speck Gallery will be displaying Ashley Nora’s stunning collection of oil paintings, titled, "Out of the Shadows.” For Nora, this is more than just a series of paintings–It represents a pivotal moment in her career. 

Nora’s previous work has featured large-scale portraits of black individuals painted in radiant blue hues emerging from white backgrounds. Her work is reminiscent of iconography as she depicts figures–some friends, herself, strangers, and even imagined figures —as having an air of royalty to them. However, this body of work, "Out of the Shadows," breaks with some of the stylistic qualities Nora is known for. 

This is a purposeful pause in Nora's flow. "Out of the Shadows" depicts figures against a dark background–The only time she will ever do this. 

Nora began painting with her signature vibrant blue after a formative trip to Africa, where she experienced seeing auras. "That blue was an aura I saw in Africa," Explains Nora. "Their spirits were so big their flesh couldn't contain it. I saw how chosen and beautiful they are. They had joy in a way that was worth more than you could ever purchase or buy.” Since this experience, Nora has identified her purpose of showing black individuals how amazing they are. 

Nora describes herself as someone who has always had big dreams, but it wasn't until 2019 that she quit her job as a chemist and embraced her calling as an artist. This personal experience influenced her to create "Out of the Shadows." 

"So many things can come out of darkness," Says Nora. "I had to live my dream and come out of the shadows–This is a reflection on that time. This series is about people realizing their true worth and identity." Nora uses her creative practice and voice to make black individuals feel seen. But to tell this story in full, she wants this series to be a moment of interim in her work, an expression of the dark before the light. 

“We are a chosen, beautiful people. Before I show the world who I am, I want to show how we find who we are," Says Nora. “Out of the Shadows” is a body of work that expresses the liberation Nora both offers in her art and lives out in her life.

The show can be viewed anytime in the Harrison Gallery and Annex through the end of December during gallery hours, Monday through Friday, from 9 am to 5 pm. The works can also be viewed and purchased via the online gallery through December.