Art Stars Attend Expo DMV’s Third Annual Art Exhibition
Photography by Wholseum Sykes.
Well-known artists and scenesters attended EXPO DMV’s third annual one-night exhibition, EXPO 2024, at the underground art spot Homme DC on September 1st. A main feature of D.C’s avante grade art world, Homme DC recently exhibited Aton Ibe Crawley’s l’histoire a des preludes qui n’ont l’air 'de rien solo exhibition in August and Dieglo’s Still Unemployed collection in March.
EXPO 2024’s exhibited artists included Rikk, Phylicia Scott, Simone Perez-Garcia, Jordan “HoneyDipp” Dominique, and Simone Ruth.
Tucked away in the heart of the city, Homme DC’s L street gallery may not boast expansive space or the luxury of air conditioning, but it has carved out a space that's become beloved by avant-garde and underground artists. The raw, no-frills environment feels like a perfect reflection of the bold, experimental work it houses.
NUNAR editor-in-chief Damon J. Barnes and co-owner Daloren appeared as a twin duo. Well-regarded music and art talents Melani Badz, WRIZZARDS, DEMO, Nina Rivera, Nia Calhoun, Chris Cardi, and Anthony Le all made appearances. The event was co-curated by a top-billed team tagging in National Gallery of Art assistant curator and art historian Rashieda Witter, renowned multidisciplinary artist-activist Trap Bob, and feminist art star Ashley Jay Williams.
The experience was sponsored by Domo Wells and her firm Dead Dirt, marketing specialist Kelcie Glass, and the restaurant RASA, which served bite-sized Indian cuisine for the night. Expo DMV founders Coco Paylor and Tina Carzon gave speeches and a champagne toast toward the night’s end.
Coco and Tina co-founded Expo DMV to provide space for artists who come from marginalized backgrounds. The expo aims to provide exposure to underrepresented artists in the DMV art world.
This year’s show featured artwork commenting on the desire “to be perceived in a specific online persona or aesthetic”. The exhibition presented a multidisciplinary collection of artwork featuring photography, paintings, illustrations, multi-media projection, and assemblage art from BIPOC, femme, and LGBTQIA+ artists from the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia art scene. Proceeds from the $10 cover fee were donated to local community organizations Harriet’s Wildest Dreams and Guns Down Friday.
NUNAR photographer Wholseum Sykes captured the night. Here’s all we saw:
