COMMUNITY EVENT • "Lev Keatts: People in Empty Places"

Second Street Gallery is pleased to present "People in Empty Places," a solo exhibition of new paintings by Lev Keatts (they/them) that blurs the line between psychological states and the physical world. On view in the Dové Gallery, this new body of work is inspired by the artist’s interest in gothic fiction, a genre which is characterized by dramatic emotions and the setting serving as a character. Keatts is drawn to the idea of a location being personified or taking on the characteristics of the people interacting within it, and imbues this inspiration into their paintings through a combination of self-portraiture and non-representational abstract elements.

Keatts was selected as the "Teeny Tiny Trifecta 5" Curator’s Choice Exhibition Pick. They are a figurative oil painter based out of Richmond, Virginia, who graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in 2020 with a BFA in Painting and a minor in Mathematics. Lev's paintings delve into the intricate relationship between physical form and mental states. The subjects of their art are beautifully distorted, a deliberate technique that captures the nuances of emotion and inner thought.

Lev has participated in thirteen group shows and two publications, with a special affinity for exhibitions such as "Radiance,” "Love Happens Here," and the zine “MALA LECHE #5” all of which celebrate feminism and the LGBTQ+ community.

This exhibition is generously sponsored by The Galdencio-Pontillo Family and The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts.