Delia West on “Seeing Touch”
video + audio

Words:
Delia West is a multimedia artist from the East side of Chicago. Her work creatively situates anatomy- the structure of the body, and physiology- it’s function. As a Human Biology collegiate scholar, a self-trained muralist, and a Montessori school art’s instructor, Delia’s perspective uses art, science, and education as tools to explore the stories that live within the human body.
“I create art to connect,” Delia says. “Skin to skin contact is one of the first ways we learn to connect with the outside world as an infant and affirms our being throughout our lifetime. It’s the first language we use to know belonging.” The human body has always been the nexus of Delia’s creations. Throughout Delia’s studies, her textbooks, medical histories, and lab notes very rarely depicted Black bodies, and almost always showcased white ones. This sparked a curiosity that evolved into a commitment to portray the fullness, the tenderness, and the Blackness of the bodies that make up her community. The synergistic relationship between her scientific background and artistry come forth in her fascination with physical touch.

In the transition from social distancing to now, Delia found nonverbal communication to be vital. It was in need of strengthening, and necessary for healthy and whole relationships. She began to examine the role touch plays in all of our lives. The intimacy of touch: familial, platonic, or romantic, is illuminated through Delia’s artwork. “Through touch we find belonging , we build trust. If there is anything my black community needs right now, it’s more ways to trust each other.”
This led to the emergence of her current visual language; the art of touch. “As we heal from a time of isolation and desperation, my work serves as a reminder of the body’s physical and emotional connections.” Seeing Touch is a way to visualize affection, and bring forth a liberatory effect on the emotional state of her community.

About the Raud Fine Art Gallery

Established in 2023, the RFA Gallery in Chicago is a safe and supportive space for underrepresented artists from diverse backgrounds to showcase their artistic work. RFA Gallery proudly represents and stands for equal opportunities for all, from poets to writers, painters to photographers, and everyone in between.

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