Critique

Valerie J. Ewing’s art practice is genuinely transformative, offering an emotional landscape where vulnerability and strength intersect. With a deft hand, she navigates complex themes such as accessibility, identity, age, and social issues, weaving them into visually compelling narratives that resonate on a profoundly human level. Her work doesn’t just speak to the viewer; it touches them, bringing forth conversations that transcend individual experiences to address collective histories and shared struggles.

Ewing’s ability to work across diverse mediums only enhances the breadth of her artistic expression. Whether through painting, sculpture, or mixed media, she makes accessible what often feels out of reach, presenting a space where the viewer can confront their own truths while engaging with the broader social and cultural dialogues at play. Her art is both a mirror and a map, reflecting the complexities of human existence and guiding us toward understanding, empathy, and, ultimately, healing.

Her work has an undeniable duality, an unwavering confidence that calls out injustice, and a gentle nurturing that invites reflection and growth. It’s this balance of power and care, of warrior and mother, that makes Valerie J. Ewing’s art so profoundly impactful. Her ability to engage with the deepest parts of the human experience offers something for everyone: a challenge, a balm, a conversation, and perhaps most importantly, a way forward.

Sincerely,

Noah Smalls

Noah Smalls
Director of Exhibitions & Collections Management
Williams College Museum of Art
15 Lawrence Hall Drive, Suite 102
Williamstown, MA 01267-3248