African-Canadian Artist Opal Dunbar Adams Brings a New Face to Contemporary Portraiture

Toronto, Canada, October 30, 2009 --(PR.com)-- Spence Gallery artist Opal Dunbar Adams has been gaining popularity among lovers of portraiture. Most recently she appeared on a new Canadian Bravo! TV series called “Star Portraits.” Opal was selected as one of three artists to paint a portrait of opera diva Measha Bruggergossman. Ms. Bruggergossman declared that Opal’s painting was the one she “would most like to have in her home.”

To celebrate this accomplishment, Spence Gallery is holding an exhibit of new works by Opal. In this body of new work, she constructs images of Black models based on what is commonly seen in fashion magazines and other media and imposes traditional adornments from Afro-based cultures. In looking at images in popular fashion magazines, Opal notes that the majority of the Black women conform to a widely accepted notion of beauty - long hair, usually straight, light coloured eyes and small noses. Opal’s new work is a commentary on what is considered beautiful in our society. In accessorizing these modern beauties with traditional adornments she asks “Are these women now not beautiful because of what I added? Or are they more beautiful?”

Over the years her work has focused on beauty, strength and diversity. She portrays these qualities in the eyes and on the faces of women. “Growing up in a single parent household, led by a strong Black woman, I came to appreciate the struggles that women must overcome everyday. I hope to portray stories of triumph, hope and love through my portraits,” says Opal. When painting children, she skilfully reveals the importance and fragility of childhood.

Images of Africa take her to a place she’s never been. She paints a unique version of ethnicities through a mental amalgamation of the images she sees in photographs. Her haunting figures create just enough unease and intrigue to arrest the viewer. The faces of her subjects tell stories of lives that are complex and multi-layered.

Opal Dunbar-Adams is a graduate of the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design and the Ottawa School of Art. Opal has exhibited in several shows around Toronto, Canada and in art fairs in the United States. She has won the following of a discerning American audience by bringing a new face to the art scene.

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Spence Gallery, located in Toronto, Canada is a one-of-a-kind gallery. The gallery was founded to share culturally diverse artistic expressions. It provides a taste of contemporary art of Caribbean, Latin American and African artists and the Diaspora. It is dedicated to diversity and celebrates the cultural influences of the artists. The gallery accepts Visa, MasterCard and international cheques and will ship internationally.

Visit www.spencegallery.com for further information and to see the gallery collection.