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"The other artist in the show whose work seems most evocative of the theme is William Villalongo. His portraits consist of cut velour paper on matte board and take a very different approach from the art by Jimenez and Olujimi. Villalongo’s images are imaginary, it is said in the accompanying wall text, confected from Yoruba ceremonial masks and animal figures. “Strong Medicine” (2016) depicts an image of raised palms, as if in surrender. His faces are compelling because they are fugitive, hidden in the decorative patterns that make up the background from which they may (depending on who you are and how you look at things) emerge into visibility. They linger on that threshold of being seen or misapprehended and, bravely, they allow either response to be their reception."
- Seph Rodney