Fearfully and Wonderfully Made – Jerrell Gibbs
Fearfully and Wonderfully Made
Solo Exhibition featuring Jerrell Gibbs
March 22 – May 3, 2025
Opening Reception
March 22, 2025
6:00 – 8:00 PM
Galerie Myrtis is honored to present Fearfully and Wonderfully Made, a compelling new body of work by Jerrell Gibbs that challenges historically ingrained biases within the world of ballet. Through his evocative paintings, Gibbs interrogates the exclusionary ideals that have long shaped the art form, particularly the rigid standards of physicality that continue to limit access to dancers based on appearance rather than ability.
By centering Black ballet dancers in his compositions, Gibbs redefines the visual narrative of ballet, shifting the focus from Eurocentric ideals of form to the undeniable brilliance, technique, and resilience of these performers. He highlights the persistent body shaming and prejudice in the field, which continue in many institutions. Gibbs’ work finds kinship with the artistic legacy of Edgar Degas, whose groundbreaking sculpture Little Dancer Aged Fourteen once challenged 19th-century notions of beauty and class. Just as Degas disrupted the status quo of his time, Gibbs offers a new perspective—one that insists on inclusion and recognition for dancers who have been historically overlooked.
In Fearfully and Wonderfully Made, Gibbs invites us to question ingrained aesthetic norms and imagine a ballet world where excellence is measured by artistry and technique rather than outdated, exclusionary ideals. Through this body of work, he fosters a necessary dialogue—one that reclaims space, celebrates Black dancers, and affirms that ballet belongs to all who dedicate themselves to its craft.
Artist Statement:
For this exhibition, I examine the historically ingrained prejudgments within the field of ballet. Through this body of work, I challenge the disparities and the idealistic standards that continue to limit access to dancers globally based on physical appearance. I question the legitimacy of the so-called “ideal” ballet physique, countering it with painted images of Black ballet dancers that emphasize their skill, dedication, and artistry rather than their body type.
My argument is not that all ballet programs adhere to these outdated standards, but rather that a culture of body shaming and prejudice persists within the field. I seek to create discourse that promotes the idea of evaluating a dancer’s aptitude based on technique, talent, and expression—rather than exclusionary criteria that have been perpetuated throughout history.
I situate this series within the tradition of ballet painting, drawing parallels to the work of French artist Edgar Degas. When Degas debuted his now-iconic sculpture Little Dancer Aged Fourteen, it was met with tremendous hostility. Many considered the work a failure because it challenged conventional aesthetic ideals of the time. In Degas and the Little Dancer, author Douglas W. Druick notes that Little Dancer disrupted perceptions of class, beauty, and tradition.
I find common ground with Degas in offering a different way of seeing. My hope is to challenge assumptions and question decisions that automatically deem someone ill-suited or inadequate based on appearance. Through these paintings, I aim to celebrate Black ballet dancers and affirm that excellence in this art form is defined not by an imposed ideal, but by the mastery and passion of the dancer.
Programming
Artist Talk: Jerrell Gibbs in Conversation with Dr. Myrtis Bedolla
Saturday, April 5th
2:00 – 6:00 pm
Join us for an engaging artist talk between painter Jerrell Gibbs and Dr. Myrtis Bedolla, Founding Director of Galerie Myrtis, as they discuss Gibbs’ latest body of work, Fearfully and Wonderfully Made. This series critically examines the historical biases within the world of ballet, particularly the rigid and exclusionary beauty standards that have long dictated who is deemed fit to perform.
Through a dynamic conversation, Gibbs and Bedolla will explore the artist’s inspiration, his process of reimagining ballet through the lens of Black excellence, and the broader implications of his work in challenging aesthetic norms within the art world and beyond. Drawing connections to the legacy of Edgar Degas and the historical resistance to artistic and cultural change, Gibbs will share insights into how his paintings reclaim space for Black ballet dancers and redefine the narrative surrounding their place in the art form.
This discussion will also address themes of representation, body politics, and the role of art in fostering dialogue around inclusion and equity in creative spaces. Audience members will have the opportunity to participate in a Q&A session, making this an evening of thought-provoking exchange and reflection. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear firsthand from Jerrell Gibbs about his powerful new series and the stories that inspire his work. Seating is limited for this free program. Registration is required to attend.
Panel Discussion
Breaking Barriers: Ballet, Representation, and the Future of Black Youth in the Arts
Saturday, May 3rd
2:00 – 6:00 pm
Galerie Myrtis invites you to an inspiring conversation with artist Jerrell Gibbs, choreographer and youth mentor Sharayna Christmas, and curator Dr. Myrtis Bedolla as they explore the intersections of ballet, art, and Black representation. This discussion, held in conjunction with Gibbs’ exhibition Fearfully and Wonderfully Made, will examine the historical barriers within the world of ballet and the urgent need to create space for Black dancers and artists.
Gibbs will share insights into his latest body of work, which challenges the exclusionary ideals of ballet by celebrating Black dancers through his paintings. Christmas—an activist, multi-disciplinary dancer, filmmaker, and educator—will draw from her 25-year career in dance, including her early training at the Dance Theatre of Harlem and performances at the 1996 Olympic Games, to discuss the legacy of ballet’s racial and physical biases. As a cultural worker and founder of Muse 360, an intergenerational nonprofit that engages in the development of the next iterations of creativity through civic engagement, allied artistic training and black diasporic study abroad exchanges.
Moderated by Dr. Bedolla, the discussion will address how ballet—and the arts as a whole—can move toward greater inclusivity and equity. Together, Gibbs and Christmas will examine the power of visual art and dance to challenge systemic prejudices, reclaim narratives, and inspire change. This engaging conversation will conclude with an audience Q&A, offering a unique opportunity to engage with the panelists about the past, present, and future of Black excellence in the arts. Seating is limited for this free program. Registration is required to attend.
Monica Ikegwu (b.1998, Baltimore, Maryland) is a figurative painter. Ikegwu earned a BFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art and an MFA from the New York Academy of Art.
