HOlding out for a hero

Lauryn Levette

August 2 - September 1, 2024
907 Christian Street, Philadelphia PA 19147

Opening Reception: Friday, August 2, 2024

Blah Blah Gallery presents Holding Out for a Hero, a solo exhibition by inaugural resident artist, Lauryn Levette.

Holding Out for a Hero considers the childlike wonder of fairytales, film, cartoons, and video games, challenging the notion of happily ever after and coming to terms with adulthood as a young Black queer woman. The title is based on the song, originally from the Footloose film score, but is now culturally associated with Shrek 2, a franchise parodying Disney fairytales and poking holes in its logic. Lauryn uses these elements of childhood to explore unlearning and navigating the taught meaning of “happily ever after,” embracing self-love and acceptance, rather than an external savior.

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Brooklyn-based artist Lauryn Levette received her BFA in Painting and Art History in 2021 from the Rhode Island School of Design. Shortly after her graduation, Levette attended her first residency at the New York Academy of Art and held her first solo exhibition at New Image Art in Los Angeles, California. Towards the end of 2021, her works were shown during Miami Art Week at Untitled, Art Fair. In 2021, Levette held her second solo exhibition at New Image Art and has show in venues, such as Soho House West Hollywood, as well as internationally in London and Barcelona.