About Page
Artist Statement
My artwork is a catalyst for personal, social and spiritual transformation. The intent is to invoke critical thinking regarding the subject matter. My creative expressions are birthed from deep-rooted social,cultural,spiritual and personal experiences. Each artistic venture teaches me lessons in respect,love,integrity,courage and holding power for myself and for silent voices. Every new work is a sacred magical seed,a meditation that sprouts in the minds of those receptive to its message.
I am both a visual and performance artist. A griot, telling stories of the challenges and triumphs of the human spirit, especially the spirit of women. When I work with paints, colored pencils,textiles,gourds, found objects and clay.I am transported to a realm where I create from soul knowledge and heart wisdom.
My spirit guides me to create that which I need to birth for myself and for others. My motto is, I offer the gifts of my hands and talents on the altar of human service.
I have recently finished a 9 week class at Weseylan University Potters in Middletown, Ct and absolutely fell in love with clay. This will be a permanent medium I will work with.
Bio
I am currently living in the beautiful Pioneer Valley of North Western Massachusetts.There are many creative and talented artist living here. This environment naturally gives you an opportunity to Breathe!
Being born and raised in the St. Louis Metropolitan area exposed me to many opportunities to express my creativity.I received a B.A. in Speech Ed./Theater from SIU-E. After graduation I headed to New York City to study and work as a professional actress. I have performed on some of the most celebrated stages in the country such as the Lincoln Center, NYC, Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, and the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles, etc. Francis Ford Coppola's( Little Fox Theater) in San Francisco. In New York I worked with Tony Award Winning Broadway Director, George C.Wolfe,Ken Rubenstein, Woody King Jr. and Dick Williams.I. Seattle I worked with Ted Sod as an artist in residence at the Seattle Repertory.
2001,I found myself becoming more interested in visual arts while working on my M.A.in Humanities
with a concentration in Women's Spirituality at New College of California,SF. I studied with acclaimed international artist Tricia Grame. In 2003 I entered into the M.F.A. Creative Inquiry program where I continued my studies with nationally recognized artist, Shiloh McCloud. Shiloh encouraged us to develop our own technique and to paint from soul knowledge and heart wisdom. I continue to embrace this philosophy today.
July 2003,I went to Cuba as Cultural Ambassador for the President of New College and given a special reception by Cuban artists in both Havana and Santiago,Cuba. While I was in Havana I had the honor of interviewing internationally acclaimed social activist and film maker,Gloria Rolondo. I have been invited back to Cuba to exhibit my work at the Caney Cultural Center.
My artwork and Chautauqua performance, "My Name Is Harriet" was exhibited and presented at the Smithsonian Institute, Washington DC,Belladonna Gallery,Berkeley,Ca., New College of California Theater/Gallery,San Francisco in 2004. In February 2006 it was presented at Art Dimensions' St.Louis,Show of Love . In 2005 I exhibited in Art Dimensions juried shows, Winterfest and The Show of Love,(Centre Gallery)where I won the Community Arts Award. February 2006 I exhibited in St.Joseph,Missouri Museum,Black Archives Show,Ebony Reflections: Form and Inspiration, February 8, 2006 -April 6, 2006. I was selected as the Cover Artist in St.Joseph News Press,Off Hours Art Scene Magazine,February 3,2006 issue.
February 9-26,2006, exhibited at the prestigious New York City Pen and Brush,Women of the African Diaspora,where I won third prize for,The Transformation of Delia: A Slave Girl.The show was curated by poet and activist,Dr. Rashidah Ismaili Abu Bakr from Pratt Institute in New York and board member of Pen & Brush. The Lead jurist was Ms. Barbara Munich,Director of Pfizer Corporation Invitational Exhibits.
September 2006 I returned to Pen and Brush to exhibit in the Best of Pen And Brush, Top Award Winners Show. December 1-31, 2006 I participated in Women's Caucus for the Arts Regional Juried Show-Transforming Identity at the Third Floor Gallery in St. Louis, Mo. I won 1st place in this exhibit for "The Transformation of Delia". The juror was Italian artist in residence, Evelyn Astegno from Venice,Italy.
December 2006 I co-curated Art Basel Miami LoGlo Exhibit, Miami, Fl. Design District. April/May 2007 I was in the Homes of Color Magazine with fellow BADC members and the late nationally recognized collector,Paul Jones who attended the prestigious Art Basel event annually.
May 2007, I participated in Art DC as an invited member of Black Artist of DC. This event was sponsored by sponsors of Art Basel Miami . BADC was invited to participate in ART Basel Miami, December 2008.
Articles have been published in E-Publications and newspaper articles about me and my art. My work is in many private collections nationwide including Past Congresswoman (GA)Representative Cynthia McKinney, St. Louis Art Museum Board Members and Multi Millionaire, Nancy Kranzberg,St Louis Art Museum Board Member Attorney Frieda Wheaton.
Coming soon! My first artbook, From the Heart of the Soul:The Intuitive Work of a Visionary Artist. Scheduled for publication early Spring 2010. I am very excited about this project.The book will be available high quality binding overlaminate softcover and hardcover library binding, black linen case with laminated dust cover.
Upcoming Shows:2010
Art+Space, Hallmark Institute Gallery,
Montaque, MA, February 5, 2010
Past Shows:2009
Small Works Show, Montaque Mill, Montaque, MA November 8, 2009
Women, Art, All In A Day's Work.
Buttonwood Tree Gallery, Middletown, Ct.February 19-March 31, 2009
Freedom's Flight,(Solo Exhibit)Main Branch Liberty Bank, Middletown,Ct.February 4,2009-March 15,2009.
Renaissance of the Spirit, Weselyan University's Green Street Arts Center,Middletown, Ct.January 31,2009.
Past Shows 2008
Gallery 53, Meriden,CT --Selected jewelry designs and limited ed. prints of my work are in the Holiday Arts & Crafts Show til January 2009.
"Colors", Art Co-op Gallery, Central West End Art District, St.Louis,Mo, Reception February 9,2008.
Juried Show.
"Texture", Gallery Of Contemporary Art, Forest Park College, St.Louis,Mo., June 2-30,2008.
Invitational Show, Curated by Frieda Wheaton, Board Member,St.Louis Art Museum, Owner of Salon 53 Gallery, St. Louis, Mo.
Past Shows 2007
My Name Is Harriet,The Space,St. Louis,Mo.December 2007. Salon 53,Grand Opening Exhibit, September 2,2007-October 1,2007, St.Louis,MO.
Women's Caucus for the Arts touring show of the "Katrina Diaries" at Maryville University.July 16,2007.
St.Louis Regional Arts Commission, "Speak Up St. Louis.July 25, 2007. National Urban League's 1st Invitational Black Fine Arts Show, America Center (National Urban league Convention) in St. Louis, Missouri.July26-28 2007.
In March 2006 I founded the 1st Women's Gallery at(Jefferson Arms)in St.Louis, Mo, now called the Roz Flax Women's Gallery. January 2007, I served as National Chapter Council Representative, Midwest Chapters, Women's Caucus for Art.
In December 2009 I Founded Women Caucus For Art:Pioneer River Valley,MA. I am serving as the current President.
I hold membership in Black Artists of Washington DC, National Women Caucus For Art, Boston Chapter of Women Caucus For Art.Past member of Woman Made Gallery in Chicago and Pen & Brush,New York City.I am also the Founder and Executive Director of my own company,Lotus of the Nile: Art for Conscious Living.
Exhibitions
02/05/10
Hallmark Institute Gallery
Art+Space
11/08/09
Montaque Mill, Montaque Center, Ma
Desirable Diminutive Depictions
6/04
Smithsonian Institute ( Anacostia Museum
My Name Is Harriet: Three Faces Of Courage, Integrity and Grace
2/19-3/09
Buttonwood Tree Gallery, Middletown, Ct.
Women, Art, All In A Day's Work
1/31/09
Weselyan University's Green Street Arts Center, Middletown, Ct.
Renaissance of the Spirit
2/4-3/09
Liberty Bank(Main Branch)Middletown, Ct
Freedom's Flight
12/08-1/09
Gallery 53, Meriden Ct
2008 Gallery 53 Holiday Arts& Crafts Show
09/07
St. Louis, Mo.
Salon 53, GrandOpening Exhibit
7/25/07
America Center- St. Louis, Mo.
National Urban League Convention-1st Black Fine Arts Fair
7/16/07
Regional Arts Commision-St. Louis, Mo
Speak Up St Louis
6/18/07
May Gallery, Maryville University Chesterfield. Mo.
Katrina Diaries
2/7-25/07
Pen and Brush Gallery, New York City
Faces Of Victory
12/1-31/06
Third Floor Gallery-St. Louis, Mo.
WCA Regional Juried Show-Transforming Identity (1st Place Winner
02/25/06
Centre Gallery St. Louis. Mo.
Show of Love
11/30/05
Centre Gallery St. Louis
Winterfest
03/03/06
Women's Gallery St. Louis, Mo
Gather the Women
2/9/06
Pen & Brush New York City, New York
Women of the African Diaspora
2/8/06
St. Joseph Museum: Black Archives
Ebony Form and Inspiration
9/13/06
St. Louis, Missouri
Unity in the Community
9/12/06
Pen & Brush New York City, New York
Top Award Winners Exhibition
04/18/2006
Webster Grove, Mo.
The Nature of Things
04/13/2006
Richmond Heights Gallery
Herstory
05/18/2006
Felix's Gallery St. Louis, Mo.
The Girls of Summer
Reviews and Press
02/23/2006
Black World Today
Sumptuous Feast of Art At Pen and Brush
02/03/2006
St. Joseph News Press Off Hours Magazine, Cover Page Artist
Everybodys History
12/07
http://www.globalgoddess.org/oracle/wintersolstice2007/art-rochleighzwholfe
Oracle -Winter Solstice Issue
4&5/07
Homes of Color
Art Basel MIami- Experiencing An International Art Show
12/19/06
BADC 's Rochleigh Wholfe Wins First Place in Transforming Identity
http://www.badcblog.blogspot.com
!0/20/07
www.riehlife.com/2007/10/19/rochleigh-z-wholfe-visionary-artist-viewing-the-future/ - 32k -
riehlife.com
08/07
East Of The River
Southeast Stylings
2/11/10
The Montaque Reporter
Valley Art Party: Art+Space Opens At Hallmaek Gallery by Ann Feitelson
12/08
Stranger Here Myself
Cover Art by Rochleigh Z. Wholfe
Rochleigh Z.'s Favorites
http://www.absolutearts.com/portfolios/l/lotusg
http://www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk/yourgallery/artist_profile/Rochleigh/.html
http://www.massartandculture.org/performing-arts.html?sobi2Task=sobi2Details&catid=20&sobi2Id=1503
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/profile.php?v=wall&ref=profile&id=1329944155