Anna Mlasowsky

‘An Active Lifestyle’

Still I Will Proudly Declare That There is Something Queer About it, 2018, Mixed media on panel

If the Door Were Open, 2018, Mixed media on panel

Corey Pemberton (b. Reston, VA 1990, lives Los Angeles) shares an intimate glimpse into his world through the personal dwellings of friends and acquaintances, including people who feel marginalized. In times like these, Pemberton sees the seemingly simple act of taking up space as a form of activism. He says, “As humans we make assumptions about people based on things like race, gender expression, socioeconomic status, etc. but preconceived notions can be one dimensional and ultimately quite harmful. When you feel the world wants to ‘other’ you or put you in a certain box, home is often the only place where you feel safe and can truly be yourself.”

Pemberton’s work challenges stereotypes by depicting his subjects as everyday people doing everyday things. Materials like drywall mud, cork and bamboo are used alongside acrylic paint and photography to depict mundane activities; eating, visiting, resting, drinking coffee, lounging. Pemberton uses images of himself in several of the pieces and invites us to see ourselves in the work as well. He reminds us what a privilege it is to fit in and to feel a sense of belonging. People are never just one thing and individuality ought to be celebrated. However it is important to make space for the othered to feel ordinary and relatable. To feel ordinary is a luxury.

These works are layered and complex, just like their subjects. Pemberton examines the depth of information we can learn about a person by being welcomed and present in their home. The objects we surround ourselves with are rich with personality and meaning. Pemberton’s work is an invitation to stay awhile and spend time with his subjects, making them relatable and intriguing.