nicotine chic
nicotine chic
Rebecca Panos
The dart on the sidewalk
smoke spilling
orange embers glowing
I circle the block.
why are you still here?
streams of smoke so thin
Barely visible in the midnight air
Glowing bud,
keeping itself warm inside its roll
undying
resting in the groove of pavement
weak
begging to be put out
passers disagree with swerving steps
An unheard plea of mercy,
no one is listening.
Rebecca Panos (b. 2001, Chicago, IL) is an artist based in New York City, where she explores the rich tapestry of narrative, delving into ancestry, identity, and the stories woven between individuals. Drawing from her Greek lineage, Panos employs writing, weaving, sewing, and crocheting to merge heritage with contemporary expression. Her meticulously crafted pieces serve as reflections of the contemporary discord within her fragmented queer identity, bridging tradition with the present. Central to Panos's exploration is the examination of communication and its complexities, delving into the labor of interpretation and interpersonal dynamics. The concept of "home" echoes throughout her work, capturing tangible and intangible moments that shape lives and histories. For Panos, duration is a reflective process, encapsulating life as a series of attempts, intricacies, and vulnerabilities. Through oral histories and fragmented narratives, her work becomes a diary, reflecting the labor of relationships present and passed down through time. Recent exhibitions include: Queer Knowing Curated by Blair Simmons at All Street Gallery, New York, NY (2023); To Darken, Lightly, Curated by Audra Lambert at LIC-A Art Space, Long Island City, NY (2023); Transversal: Where We Come From and Where We Are Going 80WSE Gallery, New York, NY (2023); In the Meantime The Commons Gallery, New York, NY (2023); Resonance The Commons Gallery, New York, NY (2023); First Come “B” Dry Goods, Brooklyn, NY (2023); The End is Near Rosenberg Gallery, New York, NY (2022); and The Past Impending The Commons Gallery, New York, NY (2022). She has received various awards including, The Chen Cui Family Award, presented by New York University, and Central Society Nestani (Tsipianiton) Scholarship, presented by the town of Nestani, Greece. Recent press includes: "Queer Knowing: A Prideful Celebration at All Street Gallery" by OnlyChild Magazine.