July 3, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

The Healing Power Of Art: “Objectified II” Opens At bG Gallery Thursday:

From an early age, Hadiya Finley found solace in her art.

The middle child of three, Finley had an autistic brother (later diagnosed with early onset schizophrenia), who pulled the focus from what would normally be an already overlooked middle child.

At a moment’s notice, all attention would be diverted to the explosive tantrums of her autistic brother.

Finley would retreat and focus on her art – creating magical objects out of everyday discarded items.

In her parallel universe, she was the featured player in her fantasy world.  

“Even when my brother was not at home, I could feel his presence,” Finley said. “The books he had chewed retained the odor of his saliva and made everything in the room smell strange. I can remember realizing that this person was not normal and wishing that he was.”

Finley lived with the complex emotions that came from feeling invisible while mourning the loss of a “typical” big brother.

“These early experiences have helped me to develop my own strength, resiliency, independence, sense of compassion and acceptance, although it has taken me a lifetime to understand this,” she said. “The passion I had for making things has always been strong and in my early years helped to draw my attention away from my brother’s often frightening behavior.”

Now, years later, Finley, a sculptor with a family of her own continues to look within herself to create her art.

Starting with clay or wood, an original form is modeled of which a mold is then made to create the piece in wax, which will later be used for bronze, paper mache, or resin.  

She then carves, cuts, and sands her sculpture to create the desired effect.

Many of her sculptures celebrate the female form – naked and vulnerable, yet featuring a sense of strength.

The work of Hadiya Finley will be on display as part of a group show entitled “Objectified II” at bG Gallery in Santa Monica this Thursday, June 20.

Curated by Douglas Alvarez, the show’s central theme brings together inanimate objects drawn from everyday life.

“Objectified II,” the second in a series takes the theme one step further by including the added dimension of exploring human and animal metamorphosis.

Gallery director and owner, Om Bleicher explains, “Doug has invited a great list of artists to explore object transformation from more varied perspectives. There is a lot of variety in their disciplines from highly academic to low-brow; the theme of the exhibit ties them together in a very interesting way.”

Bleicher admits he is looking forward to having Finley’s works included in the upcoming show.

“Hadiya creates charming metamorphic bronze figures that possess a humbleness that is rare in a contemporary artist…particularly a sculptor,” Bleicher said.

“Objectified II” also features the work of Airom, Douglas Alvarez, Terri Berman, Charity Burnett, Flora Golden, Carol Powell, Gay Summer Rick, Ron Rogers, Alex Schaefer, Simone Gad and many more.

The opening reception for “Objectified II” will be held from 7:30 pm to 10:30 pm on Thursday, June 20 at bG Gallery, which is located at1431 Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica.

The show will remain on view through July 4.

For more information, visit BGartGalleries.com and www.barefootbird.com.

in News
<>Related Posts

(Video) A visit to New York Bagel & Deli in Santa Monica

July 3, 2025

July 3, 2025

Authentic NY Style Bagels with Extra Creamy Cream Cheese and Multi-Cultural Desserts. Located at 2216 Wilshire Blvd. A visit to...

(Video) Legacy, Reimagined: Architecture, Design & Construction by Home Front Build Los Angeles

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Go To Homefrontbuild.com For More Information @home_front_build Legacy, Reimagined: Architecture, Design & Construction by Home Front Build Los Angeles. Go...

(Video) Gladstone’s Malibu Prepares for Reopening after Surviving Palisades Fires

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

With One Half of its Structure Slightly Charred and Undergoing Repairs, Gladstone’s Malibu is Reopening its Patio Space Just in...

Santa Monica Public Library Launches Community Mapping Survey

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

The initiative aims to shape the library’s programs and services to better meet community needs, fostering an inclusive and accessible...

Third Street Promenade Loses Bibibop Asian Grill

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Bibibop opened at the Santa Monica location in 2017 after taking over a former ShopHouse space Bibibop Asian Grill, a...

Proposed Rebuilding Authority for Wildfire Recovery Sparks Local Control Debate

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Plan Aims to Streamline Rebuilding but Raises Questions Over Community Input A proposed “Resilient Rebuilding Authority” to oversee recovery from...

Pentagon Orders Troop Drawdown in LA: 150 National Guard Members Reassigned to Wildfire Duty

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Federal Forces Begin Partial Withdrawal From Protest Response as California Leaders Push Back U.S. Northern Command announced Tuesday that 150 National Guard...

(Video) ‘World’s Strongest Man’ Champion Pulls Big Blue Bus for 30 feet

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

World-class strongman Martins Licis pulled a 34,680‑pound, 35-feet long, battery electric bus through the Pier to set off Pier 360...

California Highway Patrol Deploys for Independence Day Enforcement Surge

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

All Available Officers to Hit California Highways for Holiday Weekend As Californians gear up for Fourth of July festivities, the...

Court Postpones Arraignment for Driver in Malibu Crash That Killed Four Students

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

Fraser Michael Bohm Faces Murder Charges in Fatal PCH Wreck  The arraignment for Fraser Michael Bohm, the 23-year-old man accused...

More Commercial Uses Could Be Coming to RAND Building

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

Amendment Unlocks New Opportunities, Secures $5.5 Million in Community Benefits The Santa Monica Planning Commission unanimously approved an amendment to...

People are Using Palisades for “Disaster Tours.” Local Officials Are Trying to Stop Them

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

A new motion introduced to City Council requests a coordinated strategy from LADOT, the Los Angeles Police Department, and the...

Santa Monica Favorite Esters Rebrands as Esters Wine Shop & Oyster Bar

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

New Concept Launches With French-Spanish Flair and Free Bubbles Esters Wine Shop, the fave Parisian-style wine bar in downtown Santa...

Letter to the Editor: Santa Monica’s Great Park: It’s Time to Deliver on 100 Years of Promise

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

Santa Monica stands at the edge of history. For nearly a century, residents have consistently supported turning the airport land...

Why Nordstrom Says It’s Closing Its Santa Monica Place Location

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

A Nordstrom spokesperson explained the closure as a strategic realignment Nordstrom confirmed its decision to close its Santa Monica store...