The Book of Akron 3:30:

Sylvia Sykes is a portrait and figurative painter whose work focuses on themes of identity and shifting focus from technology and devices back to people. As a biracial artist, she explores the centralities of belonging by concentrating on women and minority subjects. This is intended to not only strengthen her own connection to these groups, but to heal previous feelings of isolation from them. Sykes’ residency work, The Book of Akron 3:30, reframes Biblical stories and presents them through a contemporary lens. Her reinterpretations present modern-day characters in recognizable Akron settings which creates more relatability and explores how an overall message can still be relevant today.

“My mission with this body of work is to encourage viewers to still find value in religious storytelling and myths. While religion has absolutely been historically used as a weapon, I think our society has lost something essential having moved so far away from it. I myself do not identify as a devout follower of any major religion, but I think there is vital truth to be found in the Bible as well as other holy texts.” -Sylvia Sykes

An opening reception for Sylvia Sykes’ The Book of Akron 3:30 will be held at Akron Soul Train Gallery on Friday, September 22, 5:00 – 7:30 pm. The exhibition is free and open to the public from September 20 through October 28.