Sacred Inner-play, a solo exhibition by Cleveland Institute of Art student Theadis Reagins, explores the relationship between the sacred and secular using sport references, religious iconography and ambiguous narratives. Through painting installation and sculpture, this show is concerned with the way in which we process spectacle and the properties that link human experience with divinity.

Sacred Inner-play is an extension and refinement of work that begun as early as Reagins' sophomore year. Exhibiting mostly paintings, the show bursts with color, provides depth and shifts scale to offer a series of aesthetic experiences. With the spirit of triumph, the work imbues sacred blackness in a champion attitude. It is also critical of personal vanity and the spirit of idolatry in a world ruled over by material.

Sacred Inner-play will be on view from September 19 to October 19 at 1300 Gallery inside 78th Street Studios (1300 W. 78th St., Cleveland). An opening reception will be held from 6 to 9pm Friday, September 19. In addition, an artist talk, and book release will be scheduled at a later date to be determined.

An artist talk and book release will take place from 6 to 8pm Thursday, September 25 at 1300 Gallery. After the artist talk, attendees will be able to view pieces from the Cleveland Museum of Art's Education Art Collection that add more historical dialogue to Reagins' contemporary practice.

Sacred Inner-play is curated by artist and independent curator Bobbi Reagins, who also is Community Arts Coordinator at the Cleveland Museum of Art. As part of the exhibition, Theadis Reagins will work with CMA’s Education Art Collection on programming that adds more historical dialogue to his contemporary practice. Details will be shared at a later date.

For Sacred Inner-play, Reagins partnered with the Museum of Creative Human Art (MOCHA), which uses a character-based approach to bridge creative expression with education and personal development. This partnership meant building on a previous relationship and working with an organization that inspires the youth from firsthand experience. Reagins felt the collaboration necessary to show transparency of his artistic journey.

Sacred Inner-play was organized through CIA's Creativity Works program, which is made possible by the generous support of the Fenn Educational Fund and the G.R. Lincoln Family Foundation. Creativity Works is a self-initiated internship program with the goal of supporting a student's professional development. Participating students create proposals that align with their long-term professional goals.

Image: "Venerable 32!" (detail) by Theadis Reagins

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