Omphaslus, a work from Slant Dazzle, an exhibition at the Grimshaw-Gudewicz Art GallerySlant Dazzle

Works by the Pell Lucy Collective

October 31 - December 13, 2024

Opening Reception: Thursday, November 7, 6 - 8 p.m. 

Pell Lucy is an international collective of artists that came together during the pandemic, under the guidance of Deborah Barlow. The name “Pell Lucy” is a thoughtful play on the word “pellucid,” which means clear or transparent. This choice reflects the group’s shared commitment to creating art that transcends the human form and speaks to something greater—something that connects us to the world beyond our immediate experience.

Although Pell Lucy artists do not set out with explicit messages or agendas, their work still makes a powerful statement—one that resonates on both a political and social level. By allowing form to speak in its own voice, they reveal truths that are often hidden from view: the profound connection we share with the cosmos and all that exists within it. Their approach to art is a way of fostering a deeper connection with the world, urging us to feel, rather than just see, our place within it.

This perspective aligns closely with Emily Dickinson’s famous poem, “Tell all the truth but tell it slant.” Dickinson’s words suggest that truth, especially when it is complex or challenging, is best revealed gradually, with care and subtlety. The idea is that truth should be shared in a way that allows people to absorb it fully, rather than overwhelming them all at once. This concept of careful, incremental revelation is echoed in Pell Lucy’s work, where the emphasis is not on direct messaging but on creating space for a deeper understanding to emerge naturally.

In the exhibition Slant Dazzle, 34 artists from the collective have chosen a piece that responds to this idea of truth revealed indirectly, as suggested by Dickinson’s poem. The result is a collection of works that invite us to reflect on the broader themes found in Dickinson’s writing. The works do not need to overtly illustrate the poem’s ideas to be meaningful; rather, they embody the same nuanced approach to truth and understanding that Dickinson herself championed. Through this exhibition, we are offered a chance to engage with these ideas in a way that is both thoughtful and profound, revealing the beauty in complexity and the power of art to touch the depths of human experience.