500X Gallery is proud to present HELLO FROM ELLUM THICKET, a solo exhibition by Dallas-based artist Jamila Mendez.
HELLO FROM ELLUM THICKET delves into the changing landscape of a middle-class historically black neighborhood in Dallas, mostly known by the name Northpark. This exhibition focuses on a time period during Jamila’s childhood there and the beginning of the gentrification that might change the neighborhood forever. For decades, there have been constant attempts at rebranding the neighborhood (for gentrification purposes) from Ellum Thicket to Elm Thicket to Northpark to Inwood Park. The art work walks away from just looking at structures by taking a closer look at the humanity of the families and legacies there. Jamila explores the history of black families, through a personal lens, who were once relegated to the redlined area which turned into one of the best centrally located neighborhoods in Dallas. The fight continues, as we speak, with the proposed rezoning changes.
HELLO FROM ELLUM THICKET is on view at 500X Gallery from August 27th to September 18th, 2022. There will be an opening reception on Saturday, August 27th from 7-10 pm.
The gallery is open from 12-5 pm on Saturdays and Sundays. The address for the gallery is 516 Fabrication Street, Dallas, 75212.
There will be an artist talk at the gallery, “Jamila’s Ellum Thicket” with Jennifer Monet Cowley, on Sunday, September 11th from 2 - 3:30 pm.
BIO
Jamila Mendez is a multidisciplinary artist based in Dallas, Texas. Her recent work has been a fusion of painting, photography and fabric manipulation. A consistent theme of collage elements appear in her acrylic and digital work.
Her creativity was cultivated early on through private art lessons and summer art camps. It led her to attend Texas Woman’s University focusing on Fashion Design and Art. Immediately after college, Mendez begin freelancing to build clientele. She designed custom apparel, honed her photography skills through portraiture work and certification, and taught After School Art Enrichment classes to elementary students.
As an active artist throughout the DFW metroplex, Mendez has been in several exhibitions, notably the 2018 ART214 exhibition, a two-time participant in the Lenora Rolla Heritage exhibition and the acclaimed Vivrant Thang exhibition hosted by 500X Gallery. Jamila is also the creator and host of Artist to Artist, an IGTV series. You can find her recent work via her social media handles:
Instagram:@mimichicboutique and her website www.MiMiChic.com.
COMMENTS