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“Inherited Degeneration,” new work by Valerie Imparato
Opening reception: March 1st, 7-9 pm
Exhibition date: March 1 - March 30, 2026
Gallery hours: Saturdays 12-4 pm, or by appointment
Valerie Imparato's compelling exhibition invites viewers to explore the intersections of time, identity, grief, memory, and motherhood, as the artist explores her diagnosis of one of the rarest genetic illnesses in the world, all while watching her own mother die of the same illness. The nature of the illness is degenerative, which adds an interesting layer to the work and to the artist’s lived experience. The artist is currently not ill, but is ostensibly awaiting her illness. The show thereby also explores the concepts of disability and temporary ability, and what it means to be sick versus “well.”
Drawing from Haitian and East African aesthetics, Imparato pushes the boundaries of visual art, using textiles, embroidery, and acrylic paint to create bold and compelling images. Inherited Degeneration features pieces such as “Mother, Daughter” (recently featured at Art Basel Miami), and includes a selection of new and exclusive work.
Inherited Degeneration is “a visual conversation about what it means to be sick. What it means to be a mother. What it means to be a daughter. It is ultimately about the passing of time and the mourning of the current self,” says Imparato. “I hope my work sparks reflection and dialogue about moving through grief and living life on life’s terms, no matter how temporary.”
About Valerie Imparato
Valerie Imparato is a mixed media artist and muralist. Imparato’s work was most recently featured at Afrikin Art Fair as part of Art Basel Miami 2025. Other notable achievements include solo exhibitions at the Fitchburg Art Museum, and a group exhibition at the MFA in Boston, as well as murals for Harvard University and Tufts University.
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