The Lord Baltimore Hotel is set to showcase the latest installment of its Good Taste art exhibition series, titled “Seven Stars Between Two Skies.” This fresh collection features the work of Baltimore-raised visual artist Mark Anthony West Jr.
Created while in Rio de Janeiro, West’s exhibition includes portraits depicting both American and Brazilian creative figures as sovereign entities, showcasing their power and autonomy over their own artistic realms.
Each portrait in “Seven Stars Between Two Skies” features seven stars, both depicted above and incorporated within the subjects themselves. These stars signify abundance, divine connection, and the multitude of gifts that each individual holds. The artwork employs layered shadows and silhouettes to highlight the subjects’ ability to navigate various identities and realities simultaneously, as noted in the accompanying press release. Additionally, a ribbon weaves around each figure, symbolizing a universal spiritual bond to their ancestral lineage. West’s distinctive terra cotta noses and multicolored metallic leaf embellishments bring warmth and vibrancy to the portraits.
Mark Anthony West Jr. is an artist, historian, curator, and storyteller who divides his time between Baltimore and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He directs Art Space Vidigal in Rio, an arts center dedicated to the Afro-diasporic community. West’s artistic creations often blend historical narratives with personal experiences, reflecting his life in Baltimore as well as themes from biblical and Afro-diasporic history.
Since its inception in 2018, the Lord Baltimore Hotel’s “Good Taste” exhibition series has rotated various local artists, some of whose work has found a permanent home in the hotel’s art collection. Owned by the Rubell Family, passionate art collectors, the hotel proudly displays 2,500 original pieces throughout its guest rooms and public areas, emphasizing its commitment to emerging artists.
An opening reception for the Good Taste Art Exhibition Series featuring Mark Anthony West Jr. and “Seven Stars Between Two Skies” will take place on April 1 from 5 to 7 p.m. at LB Bistro & Bakery, located within the Lord Baltimore Hotel. All artworks showcased will be available for purchase.
Admission to both the exhibition and the reception is free of charge. Guests can expect complimentary light snacks and discounted beverages during the event.
The exhibition will be open from April 1 through June 2026.
The Lord Baltimore Hotel is situated at 20 W. Baltimore St., Baltimore, MD.
