Dellis Frank
Lomita, CA
“The Greening of Fine Art,” embodies her approach to creativity and environmental stewardship.
Message
Social Justice / Commentary
Throughout time art has been used to distill issues that concern us. Because of current and not so current events that highlight the injustices and unequal treatment of communities of color organizations have been coming together to spotlight these issues. One such organization is Art Against Racism. Some of my work can be seen on their website as well as an interview I did with them.
“Art Against Racism is creating an international community of bold creatives, arts administrators, community organizations and activists dedicated to anti-racist social change.
Through The Arts, We Educate and Inspire Communities to Eradicate Racism and Create an Anti-Racist Society.”
This exhibition strives to foster conversations about social Injustice, policies, practices, and laws that are meant to undercut opportunities. For over four hundred years people in this country have been discriminated against, tortured, bullied, and killed. This kind of systemic racism, for this long, leads to “Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome” and can manifest in various ways. Of course, it’s never just black and white but Black lives do matter. From having to have THE TALK with our young boys making them grow up oh too fast to seeing the tears of Black folk we need to close the door on hate and do something about this unequal justice. I’ve seen exhibitions from my youth dealing with the same issues. It’s time for a change. All Black folk are saying is SEE ME as the same as you.
Take Cover
Take Cover is a tribute to the quilters of Gee’s Bend and all the ancestors who were brought to these shores against their will. As I reflect on this series, I am reminded that quilts were originally made out of necessity—to provide warmth in homes without heat. This basic human need inspired a legacy of resourcefulness and creativity that continues to resonate.
In Take Cover, I extend that legacy by working with nontraditional materials to construct quilt-like pieces. I imagine my ancestors using whatever they had at hand—scraps, worn fabrics, castoffs—to create protective coverings for their families. In that same spirit, I incorporate palm skins, worn-out socks, repurposed objects, and small canvases featuring quilt codes—visual symbols believed to have guided travelers on the Underground Railroad.
Each piece invites you to consider the power of making do, of creating beauty and protection from scarcity. I ask you to reflect: If you had to make a quilt to keep your loved ones warm, what would you use?
The Color Series
In this series, I have delved deeply into the intersection of color, texture, and emotion, allowing experimentation to lead the way. By exploring unexpected color combinations and varying textures, I challenge myself and the viewer to confront how these elements speak to us on a subconscious level.
Each piece is an invitation to engage with color in ways that stretch beyond the familiar—where hues and surfaces meet to form dynamic, often unanticipated dialogues. The aim is to evoke an emotional response, one that might vary depending on the viewer's personal experiences and inner state. I am pushing boundaries of what color and texture can communicate, taking the viewer on a journey where art becomes a reflection of feeling, mood, and thought.
This series seeks not only to please the eye but also to inspire self-reflection. It opens space for the viewer to consider how different chromatic and tactile elements shift their perceptions and shape their experience.
