On View: January 16th - March 1st
Curator: Gracie Hammond
Artists: Ese Ametri Gagoh, Anna Jung-Hwa, Genesis "Geno" Falls, Princess Egbo, Cherith Clottey, Kennedy Free
“to see and be seen” gathers a selection of works by Chicago artists working across painting, photography, and multimedia practices. Through varied mediums, these works interpret the portrait as intimacy, reflection, and revelation, casting light on both the subject and the artist; inviting the viewer into the intimacy of the space in between.
Some pieces trace identity through layered textures, others capture fleeting expressions, or even sculpt unique stories and build worlds of their own. Each artist uses their craft to consider what it means to see and be seen.
“to see and be seen” invites viewers into the intimate space between subject and artist, revealing the stories, relationships, and energies that bring each portrait to life.
“to see and be seen” is curated by Gracie Hammond.
Gracie Hammond
graciehammondphotography@gmail.com
@graciehammondphotography
Gracie Hammond is a budding curator and photographer with an emphasis on portraits and fashion. Her work blends a personal, authentic touch with an editorial feel, capturing the essence of each subject. She is passionate about using art as a tool to foster community and uplift diverse perspectives.
Ese Ametri Gagoh
esegagoh@gmail.com
@esegagoh8
Ese Ametri Gagoh’s practice leads with a focus on photography; while spanning across music production, film, and printmaking. Gagoh has developed a signature visual and sonic language that captures the world around one with honesty and transparency. He exhibits photographic frames saturated by rich, opalescent colors, sample distorted sonics, and rough-edged alternative printing methods. Gagoh creates works that gaze back at the viewer, compositions that state the obvious or encourage deeper investigation.
Anna Jung-Hwa
annajunghwa@gmail.com
@annajunghwa
Anna Jung-Hwa (she/her) is a queer Korean-American portrait photographer and activist based in Chicago. Her work lives at the intersection of observation and intimacy. She strives to create images that feel less like performances and more like conversations—moments of recognition where individuality, pride, and history converge.
Genesis “Geno” Falls
genophotography91@gmail.com
@geno_tatted
Genesis Falls, known as Geno, is a Chicago-based film photographer whose black-and-white work captures the raw essence of humanity. Inspired by childhood moments with her grandfather’s instant camera, she pursued Cinematography at Flashpoint Chicago and now focuses on unseen stories and unfiltered lives. Exhibiting at spaces like Evanston Art Center and as part of the Black Women Photographers collective, Geno earned the 2023 Black Women’s Photography & Flickr Grant. Influenced by Gordon Parks’s philosophy, she uses vintage cameras to create intimate, tactile images that honor resilience and challenge viewers to reflect on humanity’s shared beauty and strength.
Princess Egbo
egbo.princess@yahoo.com
@pwiinny
My name is Princess Egbo, and my work is rooted in softness, the kind that Black women are rarely allowed to hold, especially in media. I’m drawn to color, tenderness, and fantasy because they create room for us to breathe, to be gentle, to exist without being hardened first.In my pieces, I imagine worlds where Black women and women of color are centered in ease and beauty. I use contemporary, dreamlike elements to show us in moments of rest, wonder, and quiet power. My art is a place where we don’t have to be strong all the time. It’s a space where we are allowed to simply be, and to be seen.
Cherith Clottey
Cherithclottey@ymail.com
@Cc_the_artist
I am an illustrator, painter, and visual storyteller committed to bringing meaningful narratives to life through art. With a background in both traditional and digital media, I create imagery that explores identity, emotion, and imagination. My practice is driven by a desire to capture the nuance of the human experience.
Kennedy Free
kennedyfree.official@gmail.com
@kennedyfree_
Kennedy Free is a painter and community organizer based in Chicago. She creates whimsical portraits that capture her intersectional experience as a Black woman. Her work celebrates the joy, femininity, and daydreams that exist within her identity. Using vibrant colors her work leaves a daydream-like impression on viewers. She enjoys experimenting with color, patterns, and textures to create dynamic and engaging pieces.
Alongside visual art, Free has dedicated the last four years to fostering a community that prioritizes women of color. Through her art and community work, she hopes to continue blending her creative vision with her passion for uplifting others. Free has been a part of notable collaborations with organizations like the Museum of Contemporary Art, The Design Museum of Chicago, You Are Beautiful studios and much more.
