PETERSBURG, Va. — Mental well being has been the main focus for a lot of this yr, particularly following the pandemic and a string of mass shootings nationwide.
The heaviness of the world is not misplaced on Tre Simms. He is aware of the group is confronted with devastating headlines daily.
The Petersburg native who is thought for his summary artwork work leans on his artistic outlet much more amid the trauma.
“It helped me deal with my day-to-day stresses in ways that I can now express myself because I’m not the best at verbalizing. But when I do art, I feel free and have the ability and don’t feel restricted,” Simms mentioned.
His life’s work, Artzbytre, is impressed by well-known summary artists Pollock and Basquiat and Simms likes to share it with the group.
“What you see in the collection to the right of me is Basquiat-inspired pieces, however, it’s with my own twist. So when I had done my own version of it, I had to think outside of the box and use different materials and I used charcoal and acrylic-colored markers,” Simms defined.
With every fastidiously crafted piece, it is the message behind the paintings that Simms hopes will shine by.
“Art is very therapeutic and can be for everyone. Whether they may have mental health issues or not. Art, for tens of thousands of years, it has been around, actually helps you to express yourself. It can tell a story and art can capture history,” Simms mentioned.
Deeply private artwork items in his Angel Collection have helped him deal with emotional losses. His summary artwork masks collection blends his love of artwork and drama that he cultivated whereas attending Petersburg High School.
Simms plans to share all of it throughout his first solo exhibition on Friday at a West Old Street studio in Petersburg. It’s his means of giving again to the place that led him to his life’s ardour.
“Friday will be a free event. I’ll be exhibiting all of my art. Proceeds will go to the Petersburg High School art program and I will be talking about mental health and explaining how art has been very therapeutic,” Simms mentioned.
It’s one thing he hopes can encourage and lead others to their very own therapeutic.