Living In My Skin - Closing Poetry Jam and Artist Talk at the RIO 3 Gallery

“Living In My Skin” explores the complexities of the multicultural and multiracial island of Quisqueya. This body of work composed of eleven women in the arts, from Dominican and Haitian decent challenges society norms by breaking through colonialism while channeling the original roots of Quisqueya. Through a variety of multimedia such as photography, collages, installation, and video we get a sense of the load Caribbean diaspora women are forced to face from childhood. “Living In My Skin” lends itself, as that platform to discuss the problematic traditional gender roles, racial division and identity affect women today. Concentrating on the female body, this selected group of artists are fabricating key contributions in aiding to deconstruct the false narratives build around women, specifically women of color. These artists are addressing the everyday obstacles of the Caribbean diaspora women. Seamlessly beauty and discomfort are combined in each individual piece. These are conscious artists who both understand the impact of history and who create art that is a window for inspiration. “Living In My Skin” is funded by La Lucha and curated by Yelaine Rodriguez. Exhibited Artist: Dulcina Abreu, Fabiola Jean-Louis, Joiri Minaya, Klode, Leslie Jimenez, Melanie Gonzalez, Nadine LaFond, Rejin Leys, Scherezade Garcia, Vladimir Cybil Charlier, Yelaine Rodriguez. Location: Rio Penthouse Gallery III / 898 St. Nicholas Ave / 9th Fl Corner of 155th St. / New York, NY 10032 Gallery Hours: Mon-Fri from 10am-4pm Appointment / Sales: Yelaine Rodriguez August 12th - 26th 2016 (6-9pm) Artist Talk: Conversations w/ Edwidge Danticat Closing Reception: August 26th (6-9pm) Bio: Edwidge Danticat is the author of several books, includingBreath, Eyes, Memory, an Oprah Book Club selection, Krik? Krak!, a National Book Award finalist, The Farming of Bones, The Dew Breaker, Create Dangerously , and Claire of the Sea Light.Her memoir,Brother, I‘m Dying, was a 2007 finalist for the National Book Award and a 2008 winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award for autobiography. She is a 2009 MacArthur fellow.