The Green Herring Art Gallery is hosting a special art exhibit called “Mother to Son” on Saturday, August 4, from 4 to 8 p.m.
The show will feature two St. Helena Island native artists who just happen to be mother, Victoria A. Smalls, and son, Christopher A. Smalls.
Inspired by the writings and poems of Langston Hughes and especially the poem titled “Mother to Son”, Victoria wanted to create this exhibit with her son.
Victoria is a self-taught artist who has been painting with pastels for 10 years. A recurrent subject used in her paintings is that of faces with varying hues that are in a tranquil, peaceful and contemplative state. “My ‘Contemplation Faces’, will always be a focal point integrated into my paintings. They are who I am, a magnificent blend of Gullah, English and Irish,” says Victoria. Other components that make and inspire Victoria in her art work are her family, her beloved Lowcountry, her home and environment.
She surrounds herself at home with the beautiful creations, paintings, photos, baskets, sculptures created by Lowcountry artists and a must have, music. It is in this setting where she is able to create.
Victoria Smalls is now the History and Culture Coordinator at Penn Center on St. Helena
Island. She is the proud mother of Christopher Smalls, 19, who is a junior at Winthrop University majoring in Fine Arts. As a member of the Winthrop Chorale, he enjoys singing and music when he’s not creating artwork.
He is inspired by nature, music, folk art, Gullah culture and his coastal home. Christopher loves to incorporate different mediums in his art and exploring the interaction between media.
He has become known for sketching with pen and ink and painting in old books — an art form known as “Altered Books.”
“When looking at Christopher’s art from the earlier years up to now you can see how he has become more sophisticated in his works, said his mother.
The public is invited to attend a “meet and greet” artists reception free at the Green Herring Galley, 1001 Bay Street from 4 to 8 p.m. on August 4. For more information, call 843-812-4662.
