Ekklesia - The Bishop Gallery

Ekklesia

Sophia Victor

Ekklesia

The Bishop Gallery is pleased to present Ekklesia, a compelling new exhibition by acclaimed artist Sophia Victor, thoughtfully curated by teddy raShaan reeves, ph.d. of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. Opening on May 17th, the exhibition draws inspiration from the ancient Greek term ἐκκλησία (pronounced ek-klay-see'-ah), originally describing the assemblies of Athenian democracy and later adopted by early Christians for gatherings of the faithful. Through her latest work, Victor explores the enduring importance of communal spaces within African American traditions, highlighting their cultural, spiritual, and social resonance.

Victor's evocative and deeply personal exhibition extends this historical lineage into the contemporary African American context, paying homage to the church's enduring role as sanctuary, community cornerstone, and guardian of cultural legacy. Through a strikingly thoughtful body of new works, Victor creates dynamic spaces for reflection, dialogue, and communal engagement, inviting viewers to contemplate stories shaped by collective faith, resilience, and purposeful existence.

Drawing thoughtfully from the material culture of the Black church, Ekklesia underscores the complex relationships within the artist’s formative communities, spaces that have both nurtured and challenged her creative gifts. Leveraging decades of artistic exploration, as well as deeply personal relationships with her subjects, Victor unveils a layered narrative exploring contemporary Black life—from intimate family dynamics and the pursuit of educational equity, to confronting mass incarceration, and systemic injustice.

With authenticity, empathy, and a bold artistic vision, Victor masterfully reinterprets the timeless concept of the Ekklesia, rooting her creations firmly in an unwavering commitment to faith, humanity, and social justice.
Please join us at The Bishop Gallery as Sophia Victor calls viewers together, fostering a powerful communal experience, and igniting vital conversations about identity, spirituality, and collective action.

Exhibition Dates

From

May 17, 2025

UNTIL

June 14, 2025

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Sophia Victor

Sophia Victor (b. 1988, Brooklyn, NY) is a multidisciplinary artist and muralist whose practice blends art therapy, activism, ministry, and community service. Raised by Jamaican parents, her vibrant portraits and public artworks highlight personal narratives of social injustice while celebrating diverse Black experiences through painting, installation, video, and performance—including roller disco skating. Victor participated in biennials at Jamaica’s National Art Gallery (2015) and the Bronx Museum for the Arts (2017); her work has been featured by Forbes, The Guardian, BBC News, and appeared in TV series and films such as She’s Gotta Have It and BelAir. She holds a BFA and an MPS in Art Therapy from the School of Visual Arts, an MA from New York University, and is an alumna of residencies at the Whitney Independent Study Program and the Bronx Museum. Victor joined the faculty of SVA’s Fine Art department in 2020.

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