James Oliver Gallery’s latest exhibition, “Soul Objective”, opening June 21, 2025, unites two extraordinary Philadelphia-based artists—Cavin Jones and Angelique Scott—in a two-person show that transcends traditional media and dives deep into the spiritual and ancestral self. On view through July 26, Soul Objective is an encounter with painting, ceramics, and collage. The opening reception is scheduled on June 21 from 6 pm to 9 pm, followed by an in-depth conversation with the artists on July 10 at 7 PM.
Soul Objective – Cavin Jones’ Gilded Introspection
Cavin Jones, a Philadelphia native, brings a luminous intensity to Soul Objective. Working with a refined painterly hand and the spiritual language of iconography, Jones channels the visual vocabulary of Pre-Renaissance altar paintings—an influence he absorbed firsthand during travels to Florence. His figures, centered within glowing compositions adorned with gold leaf, invite both aesthetic admiration and spiritual reflection.
Beyond his studio practice, Jones’ impact ripples through the city’s creative ecosystem. With an MFA from Washington University and a BFA from Tyler School of Art, he has shaped generations of artists through his roles with Mural Arts, The Barnes Foundation, and beyond.
Angelique Scott’s Ancestral Craft Reflected in Soul Objective
In dialogue with Jones, Angelique Scott delivers a materially rich and symbolically layered contribution to Soul Objective, shaped by the traditions and textures of the Afro-diaspora. Scott’s ceramic vessels, fiber works, and mixed-media objects are more than visual statements—they are spiritual technologies. With cowrie shells, indigo, satin, cotton, and even human hair, she constructs sculptural stories that honor African womanism, wellness, and sacred continuity.
A graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University and Tyler School of Art, Scott’s journey has taken her from the Skopelos Foundation in Greece to Penland, Haystack, and the Vermont Studio Center. She has also carved out space as a young leader and organizer within the field, co-directing the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts and developing dynamic public art programs that reflect her commitment to accessibility and cultural sustainability.
Soul Objective Embodies the Sacred
The pairing of Jones and Scott in Soul Objective feels less like curation and more like alchemy. Their shared reverence for ancestry, identity, and transformation bridges mediums and narratives, creating a visual ecosystem where gold leaf and cowrie shell, paint, and clay, all pulse with purpose.
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