Heather Grey Gallery is pleased to present “Carry on Tradition,” a new solo exhibition by multimedia artist Walter Cruz. On view from May 18, 2024 to June 28, 2024, the show features Cruz’s signature textural works amplified by an expansive exploration of the artist’s Dominican heritage and cross-cultural experiences growing up in New York City.

In “Carry on Tradition,” Cruz weaves together a visually rich tapestry that spans Hip-hop, Salsa, traditional Dominican Diablos Cojuelos masks, and the Kifwebe sculpture of the Democratic Republic of Congo. This multifaceted exhibition floats seamlessly between myriad cultural touchpoints, illuminating the intricacies of the African diaspora and the deeper connections that transcend generations.

Encompassing mixed media pieces crafted with Cruz’s trademark textural accents of rope and found materials, the artworks tap into the inherited traditions that shape families and individuals. Each piece invites viewers to revisit shared histories as a means of making sense of present circumstances and fostering critical discourse.

“This new body of work is really about exploring the fascinating cross-pollination of cultures that I experienced growing up in New York,” said Cruz. “By bringing together references from diverse contexts, I hope to highlight the resilience of traditions as they migrate and adapt across time and geography.”

The artworks incorporate an array of new materials and histories into Cruz’s ongoing textural investigations. Common objects are reimagined as catalysts for expanding conversations about the complex stories woven into diasporic experiences.

With “Carry on Tradition,” Walter Cruz continues his powerful blend of cultural narratives and mixed media mastery. Don’t miss this captivating exhibition that makes a profound statement about the enduring traditions that shape our individual and collective identities.

“Carry on Tradition” will be on view at Heather Grey Gallery’s Hooper House location from May 18, 2024 to June 28, 2024, with an opening reception on May 18th, 2024 from 5pm – 8pm featuring a performance by Al Rodgers Jr. and The Lor Band. Heather Grey Gallery at Hooper House is located at 100 E 23rd St, Baltimore, MD 21218. For press inquiries or further information, please contact [email protected].

About Walter Cruz: Walter Cruz is a NY-born and Bronx native creative who explores intersections of art and design through his Dominican-American lens. His work aims to understand how Black and brown bodies inhabit space. He has exhibited at venues including the Museum of the City of New York and completed residencies at organizations like The Laundromat Project. Cruz serves as the visual designer for the Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI), bringing an artistic eye to social justice issues. He co-founded Zeal, a cooperative uplifting Black multidisciplinary artists. Cruz holds an MFA from Maryland Institute College of Art. His goal is to create work that empowers Black and brown communities to embrace their identities.

About Heather Grey Gallery: Started by Michael Haskins Jr. in Baltimore, Maryland, in 2021, Heather Grey an Artist run Gallery originated as a platform for identifying and showcasing primarily self-taught artists residing in and around the Baltimore area. While its roots are in Baltimore, Heather Grey’s proposed journey is not limited to self-taught artists, or artists living in Baltimore. With a high appreciation for Juxtaposition the goal is set to bridge a gap, while consciously inviting artists that wouldn’t by nature be in the same room or conversation. Notably, Heather Grey Gallery derived from Baltimore’s Currency Studio, owned by Michael Haskins Jr., a designer brand influenced and driven by art and architecture. Haskins is inherently drawn to artists who complement the Currency Studio vision.