Alchemist Dillard’s ‘Letters to Deja’ exhibition explores deeper meanings
rEN Dillard does not see himself as an artist but as an alchemist, turning nothing into something. “All of this work started out as blank panels or blank canvas, and I had to work it all the way up to the point that you see it now,” Dillard said.
In his solo exhibition, “Letters to Deja” currently on display at the Mason Fine Art Gallery, Dillard transforms materials into visual narratives that bridge familial separation, racial consciousness, and esoteric philosophy. The exhibition, which opened November 15th and runs through January 15th, 2025, is a visual correspondence to his estranged daughter, Deja, now in her 20s.
Originally from Savannah, Georgia, Dillard’s artistic journey took flight in Philadelphia around 2005 when he was 28. Initially drawn there for spoken word poetry, Dillard found his love for the visual arts in the city of brotherly love, inspired by Philadelphia’s known mural scene: “I bought cheap acrylic paints and created my first painting. A friend saw it and was amazed, asking where I bought it. That moment was a catalyst; I realized art was at its core.” His first breakthrough came through curator Lilliana DiDovic, who gave him six months to prepare for his first solo exhibition at Smile Gallery in Philadelphia. Dillard subsequently moved to Atlanta in 2012 to find a market that could support his ambitious artistic vision.
As stated, Dillard describes himself as an alchemist, transforming blank canvases into valuable artworks through “transmutation.” His use of materials like gold and silver leaf symbolizes this alchemical journey from base materials to precious art. Beyond mere visual appeal, each piece carries deeper philosophical meanings, often drawing from hermetic principles and ancient wisdom.
Another notable work, Before I Let Go, evokes a grand, Gatsby-esque celebration. Set aboard an imagined mothership, it portrays Black joy as a revolutionary act Dillard describes, layering gold leaf and collage elements to create a vibrant, immersive scene, “Black joy is radical in today’s society,” he said. Similarly, another piece, The First Seven, draws on Hermetic philosophy, exploring the seven principles of existence through layered copper, silver, and oil paint textures.
A deeply personal piece in the collection is a portrait of Dillard’s daughter, created from an image on her Instagram page. All I Ask Of You, encases her likeness in a visual representation of gold and silver, “It’s like a fine arts vision board. I hope one day she’ll have this piece,” Dillard shared. The exhibit Letters to Deja is an ode to Dillard’s daughter, who he has not seen in over five years. The exhibition’s works reflect themes of black womanhood, embodying the guidance and conversations he wishes to share with her.
The artist will discuss his work in depth during an artist’s talk on January 11th, 2025, at noon EST, moderated by artist Dr. Arturo Lindsay. The talk promises to delve into the multiple layers of meaning within Dillard’s work, from personal history to philosophical undertones.
Dillard aims for the viewers of his art to walk away from the exhibit and question more than what is seen on the surface. “I want people to just do that in general, in life. Not take the low-hanging fruit, really listen, actively listen to people, and try to understand their stories.”
