Unapologetic Faces: The Cost of Being Seen

Installation views from the debut exhibition of Corey Wesley’s contemporary portrait series exploring identity, visibility, and emotional presence at Goddard Riverside in New York City.

ARTIST STATMENT

Unapologetic Faces began with an earlier idea I called Crack Faces. I was meeting people moving through transitional moments in life, and as I spoke with them, I began to see both fracture and beauty in the face. What first appeared as hardship revealed something deeper—resilience, vulnerability, history, and presence. Over time, the work evolved into a broader meditation on the human experience and the emotional cost of being seen. This series reflects the truth that our faces carry stories, and that within what others may overlook, there is often extraordinary depth, strength, and beauty.

Works from the Exhibition

Select works from the Unapologetic Faces: The Cost of Being Seen series remain available for acquisition. Collectors and design professionals may view available works or contact the studio directly for inquiries.