2023 National YoungArts Week Exhibition

Works by 2023 finalists in Design Arts, Photography and Visual Arts

Curated by Adeze Wilford
On view January 13-March 31, 2023
YoungArts Gallery | 2100 Biscayne Blvd., Miami

From Adeze Wilford, Curator

The artists in this exhibition have made works that engage with pressing issues of our time, intimate family relationships and understanding of identity. They are burgeoning with creativity, innovation and a sensitivity to both the sitter and viewer that results in a body of work that speaks to a world that is often rapidly changing but one that retains similarity across generations. Working across mediums including photography, fiber art and 3D printing, topics explored range from making clothing accessible and sustainable to working through grief and loss. These emerging artists have taken difficult subject matter such as gender discrimination, state violence and climate change and created a means to reflect and in some cases create solutions that will directly impact the way some can navigate the world. 

These emerging artists have created work that sparks conversation about personal experience and actions towards a more equitable future. They have used garments and sculpture to activate change in ways both large and small. Art can do many things: It can expand ways of thinking and moving through the world, it can shift political action and make people look more deeply and critically. The artists in this cohort personify the power of what art can be as a tool for shaping progress through creative expression. Their works are equal parts tender and evocative, giving this exhibition balance and nuance that speaks to their incredible creative capacity both now and in the future.

Select Works

All works on display at the YoungArts Gallery. Select works listed in alphabetical order by artist last name.

Catrielle Barnett
Fire Starter, 2021

Shanett Berdayes
Grasping Balance, 2022
Lucas Buckwell
Zephyr, 2022
Richard Cheng
Augmented Forest Squirrel, 2022
Merritt Crumpton
Ghost Mother, 2020
Charles Estess
Pennies, 2022
Similolu Fadel
Routine, 2022
Yiyang Fei
Golden orbit (Necklace), 2022
Zakiriya Gladney
Waffles, 2022
Claire Hahn
Trapped, 2022
Grey Jensen
Youth Power, 2022
Caroline Kim
Braille Clothing Tag in Use, 2022
Django Lewis
Granny’s Kitchen, 2022
Miranda Lewis
Profits over periods and people, 2021
Khalil McKnight
Self-Destruction, 2021
Marlene Schwier
The Same But Different, 2022
Ethan Shames
Chase II, 2022
Britney Simbana
Your Landscapers, 2022
Neil Song
美影 (Shadow of Beauty), 2022
Sara Sonnenblick
Elegant Strength, 2022
Gavin Trotmore
Dyed Denim Suit Dynamic Pose, 2022
Margaret Tsai
Adaptive Design Wheelchair-Friendly Pants Process, 2021
Ray Wang
Remembrance (Front Perspective), 2022
Kennedee Woodson
Retrospect, 2022
Bayan Yunis
Your Move, 2022

Special Thank You to National YoungArts Week Supporters