ROXANA: Among the original works by Kandy G Lopez, curated by Tayina Deravile, now on display at the Spady Cultural Heritage Museum. PHOTO COURTESY OF SCHM

Staff Report

DELRAY BEACH, Fla. – The newest exhibit at the Spady Cultural Heritage Museum invites guests to see a section of the population that oftentimes feels unseen. In “(in)visible: Nepantla,” Black women and women of color are placed in the forefront of the viewer’s gaze, so they can be fully recognized.

The “(in)visible: Nepantla” exhibit is now open and on display through March 15 at 170 NW 5th Ave., Delray Beach.

Tayina Deravile, a first-generation Haitian-American cultural art practitioner and arts professional, curated approximately 30 original works created by Fort Lauderdale-based artist Kandi G Lopez, circa 2013.

Lopez specializes in collage work and uses a mix of materials to create a space for Black women and women of color to be represented. The show includes mixed media, stained glass, printmaking works on paper, ink on repurposed doors, and fiber art pieces, showcasing the diverse range of Lopez’s work.

“In the U.S., and in Florida specifically, the history and contributions of AfricanAmericans and Caribbean-Americans are being erased from books and curriculums,” Deravile said. “This is in addition to the practice that Black women have of existing in spaces that are ‘in-between’ their own culture and mainstream society, which forces them to adapt and contort their authenticity, in order to survive.”

“Nepantla” stems from Latino and Chicano cultures and is translated to mean in-between-ness. In showcasing people who are normally ignored, the exhibit itself is an act of resistance against societal oppression, Deravile said, and exposes the territory Black women have to navigate to thrive. It is also a show that is meant to empower those who see themselves in the imagery.

“Even viewing this exhibit within the Spady Museum is significant because spaces like the Spady are sacred,” she said. “Also, centering a solo exhibition by an Afro-Caribbean artist whose work focuses on marginalized people speaks volumes.”

For Deravile, a must-see piece is “Held Back,” which shows the silhouette of a woman, holding a baby, against a cityscape, marked with electrical wires. The small piece, which is no more than eight inches tall, speaks to Deravile as a declaration of strength with the woman being a feminine, nurturing creature trying to grow in a hardened, charged atmosphere.

Opening Reception 7-9 p.m., Jan. 26; Artist and Curator Talk: 6-8 p.m., Jan. 30; Artist Workshop, March 1. Visit spadymuseum.com