Opening Reception for Megan Rea

Paradigm Gallery + Studio is pleased to present Nightshades, a solo exhibition of works on paper by London-based painter Megan Rea in partnership with independent curator Anaïs Cooper-Hackman. Rea’s debut solo exhibition in Philadelphia will feature oil paintings on hand-crafted paper inspired by the classical architecture displayed in Italian frescos. Rea focuses on the looming towers and tiered fountains decorating the frescos’ backgrounds and bringing them to the forefront as main characters in her work. She identifies the falling streams and ornamental armature of these structures as living qualities and explores fountains as representations of the human form. By incorporating hand-embellishments and mystical imagery, Rea constructs a poetic narrative of the body’s relationship with time as if it were weathered stone. Nightshades will be on view on the second floor of the Paradigm Arts Building (12 N. 3rd St) from August 2 through September 1, 2024 with a public opening reception on Friday, August 2nd from 6:00-8:00pm.