July 14, 2025

Chantal Lesley to Launch Solo Exhibition in Dallas

News Summary

Austin-based artist Chantal Lesley is set to unveil her solo exhibition, ‘As I Lay It All To Rest,’ at the Oak Cliff Cultural Center in Dallas. The exhibit will explore themes of identity, belonging, and grief, encouraging viewers to reflect on their personal experiences. The opening event includes an artist talk and reception, highlighting Lesley’s multicultural background and artistic journey through photography. Visitors can engage with profound themes and connect with the narratives she presents.

Austin – Chantal Lesley, an Austin-based artist, will launch her solo exhibition titled “As I Lay It All To Rest” at the Oak Cliff Cultural Center in Dallas, Texas, starting on Saturday, August 2, 2025. This exhibition aims to delve into themes of identity, belonging, and contemporary social and political issues, with particular focus on memories, regrets, unspoken words, and the lingering presence of grief.

The opening event for the exhibition is scheduled to include an artist talk at 5:30 PM, followed by a reception from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. The Oak Cliff Cultural Center is located at 223 W. Jefferson Blvd, Dallas, TX, adjacent to the historic Texas Theater, and it operates from Tuesday to Saturday, 12 PM to 6 PM.

Lesley’s work is a reflection of her multicultural background as a first-generation American. Born and raised in the Rio Grande Valley along the U.S./Mexico border, she is the daughter of Peruvian and German immigrants. This heritage informs much of her artistic approach, illustrating the long-lasting impact of grief, which she explores through photography as a narrative medium. Her focus lies in the act of releasing attachments tied to grief and how it evolves physically and emotionally within an individual.

Chantal Lesley earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Fine Art Photography from Texas State University in 2021. Since her graduation, she has showcased her artwork in various venues across Texas and other states, including notable locations such as the Houston Center for Photography in Houston, TX; Craighead Green Gallery in Dallas, TX; Touchstone Gallery in Washington, D.C.; and the Humble Arts Foundation in New York, NY.

In addition to her exhibition experience, Lesley has been selected for several prestigious artist residencies. Some of these include LATITUDE in Chicago, IL; The Line in partnership with Big Medium in Austin, TX; Vermont Studio Center in Johnson, VT; and Château d’Orquevaux in Orquevaux, France. In 2025, she will serve as an artist-in-residence at KUNSTRAUM in Brooklyn, NY, followed by a residency at Kala in Berkeley, CA.

The exhibition “As I Lay It All To Rest” seeks to create a conversation about the complexities of grief and its multifaceted nature, encouraging visitors to reflect on their own experiences of identity, memory, and loss. With this exhibition, Lesley not only presents her artistic vision but also invites the audience to engage with profound themes that resonate on a personal level.

For more information, attendees can visit the Oak Cliff Cultural Center or check local resources, including websites that feature contemporary art and local exhibitions.

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