sight.
CEV Art Gallery presents Online Exhibit Illuminating Black Perspectives Through Art
Exhibiting February 21, 2025 – April 30, 2026 (USA)
Douglas E. Nowling
Los Angeles, California
Meet the artist, Douglas E. Nowling
“Emotion is the complex psycho-physiological experience of an individual's state of mind. It is my intention to open your eyes to the emotional experiences of African Americans.”
“Tranquility” 2025. 11 in x 14 in, Acrylic on Wood Canvas
The painting captures a Black man existing in a state of quiet endurance. Not performing, not explaining, not asking for permission—just standing, present, and intact. It reflects a reality where visibility can be risky, expression can be misread, and stillness itself becomes an act of resistance. The calm isn’t naïveté; it’s hard-earned. It’s what he longs for if one were to look into his eyes and see his soul.
“I Count” 2025. 18 in x 24 in. Acrylic on Wood
This painting depicts a visual proclamation that civic engagement is part of the Black man’s past, present, and future—and that being seen, counted, and heard is itself meaningful in this political climate. He sits with a sense of self-respect and power, not obligation or pressure. With quiet confidence the he is rooted in pride, history, and visibility. In the context of a recent presidential elections, it’s a reminder that states: you belong in this story.
Nytia Jenkins
New York, NY
Meet the artist, Nytia Jenkins
“My artistic approach is to take something that is plain and make it beautiful. Art has been a joy of mine since I was a child. I am self-taught, meaning I do not have any professional training. Many of my pieces are inspired spontaneously. This spontaneity comes from ideas or mental images that may occur at random. I take those ideas or images and try to capture the essence in my artwork. I take my work seriously and put my greatest efforts into everything I create. I strive to create art that is pleasing to the eye and uplifting to the mood.”
“Vintage Inspired” 2025, 10 in X 20 in. Acrylic on Canvas.
This piece was inspired by the fashions of the 1930s.
“Afternoon Reveries” 2025, 9 in X 12 in. Watercolor on Paper.
This piece was inspired randomly while looking at an old Barbie doll plays et which included a dog that "matched" her style.
Meet the artist, Stephanie Kemp
“My first creative outlet was writing. I started creating collages as a way to expand my creativity. As a Black woman, my collages aim to represent people of color in a way that reflects our emotions and experiences. I feel this has always been important, but particularly now it is crucial to our times.”
Website:https://www.instagram.com/slkcollage?igsh=Znh6a3Y1dmNsbm8w
Stephanie Kemp
USA
“Blowing Hot” 2017. Analog collage.
It is the representation of jazz and joy
“A Cup of Wisdom” 2026. Digital collage.
It is an affirmation to see yourself for the beautiful being you are.
Liv
Indianapolis, Indiana
Meet the photographer, Liv
“I've never realized how beautiful the world could be until I picked up a camera and really started looking. I started to see the imperfections and hardships of the world in a new light. I wanted to share this with the world as I feel we now live in a world where we turn away too quickly before we truly see something. We don't look up enough to appreciate the beauty of the world we live in. Too ashamed to see the destruction we caused or too distracted by devices. I want my photography to show people what they're missing. I want them to see things from a different perspective than their own and experience it in a way that they haven't before.”
“Unseen Process” 2024. 2400 px x 1800 px. Digital photograph.
In Morocco, many goods are prepared without factories, relying instead on traditional handcrafting methods. This photo shows the different mixtures the leather is soaked in over the course of a week to clean and prepare it. I was able to witness this process in the city of Fez, known as the handcraft capital of the world.
“Infinitely Changing” 2025. 2400 px x 2400 px. Digital Photograph.
The dragonfly is a symbol of change, transformation, adaptability, and self-realization. These same qualities echo through Black history. Time and again, our people were forced to bend, to shift, to survive. Yet as shown through our culture and honoring our roots, struggle became transformation. From hardship, we reshaped ourselves, rising with resilience and creating beauty where it wasn’t wanted.