July First Friday

High Tide
by Sophia Reed

"High Tide engulfs spectators with its thrashing waves. There are many components to this immersive exhibition. One of the large scale pieces, Swimmers, a painting made from collaged paper, reveals limbs reaching and heads gasping for air as sharks and seagulls descend. The viewer seems to have stumbled upon a terrifying scene in the middle of the ocean. This piece is surrounded by two mammoth waves, one on each side. These towering masses have reached their peak height as they crash onto the gallery floor. The viewer is left standing in painted puddles which have taken over, making their way to the adjacent wall where an underwater scene in unveiled. Here Reed investigates the calm beneath the water, dreaming of unexplored depths and new worlds.  Reed’s paintings touch on themes of being overwhelmed by, and coping with, current climates. She questions the role of the viewer while challenging her voice as an artist. She attempts to make sense of world events while dealing with the confusion that is everyday life." -Reed

Reed is originally from Kansas City. She attended the University of Central
Missouri where she received a BFA in Painting and BSE in Art Education in 2014. Shortly after graduating she moved to Brooklyn for two years. Last September she made her pilgrimage back to Kansas City to establish her painting studio practice. Sophia Reed’s private studio is located in Vulpes Bastille in the Crossroads Arts District of KCMO.
For more information about her work you can visit her website at sophia-reed.com and follow her Instagram: @sophiapaints To contact her directly or schedule a studio tour, you can e-mail: [email protected]


Opening Reception during Friday, July 7th, from 6:00-10:00pm