Two Selves Gallery in Troy, New York, opened a new exhibition titled "Coming Out of Darkness: Landscapes of Presence" by artist Patricia Wood during the April Troy Night Out event. The show, on display through May, is divided into three sections: a series of acrylic paintings on black velvet depicting forest scenes from the Adirondacks, a middle section featuring reference photos, miniatures, encaustic works, and mental health resources, and a front section with oil paintings of Winnie the Pooh characters and Wood's jewelry. Wood describes the exhibition as a personal journey through depression, using light and dark to convey her struggle and recovery.
The exhibition matters because it uses visual art to address mental health openly, offering a deeply personal narrative that resonates with broader conversations about depression and healing. By including free mental health resource materials, the show provides tangible support to viewers, while Wood's debut solo exhibition highlights the role of community galleries like Two Selves in nurturing emerging artists. The show also demonstrates how local art spaces can foster meaningful dialogue between personal experience and public engagement.