Unbroken: The Art of Survival Exhibition
The Art of Survival
People disagree. Relationships fracture. Dreams go unrealized. Carefully laid plans unravel. Bad things happen.
We live in a world marked by brokenness, but we are not meant to remain there. We are meant to survive. Survival is the act of continuing to live, to press forward, in spite of hardship and adversity. But what does survival look like? How does one walk through it?
In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, sisters and artists Chanda Baker and Danika Rowe invite you to explore the emotional and spiritual journey of survival through their collaborative exhibition Unbroken: The Art of Survival.
Together, their work -- spanning painting, photography and ceramics -- offers a vivid and contemplative portrayal of the four stages of survival: Broken, Perseverance, Breakthrough and Rebirth. Through this visual narrative, viewers are encouraged to find beauty, strength, and hope within their own stories of endurance.
About the Artist
Chanda Baker's creativity spans both photography and ceramics. Her photography captures the beauty of the natural world -- moments of light, texture, and quiet reflection that invites viewers to slow down and see life more deeply. Through her travels, she gathers inspiration from diverse landscapes and cultures, creating visual stories that celebrate connection and mindfulness.
In her ceramic work, Baker finds joy in shaping beauty with her own hands. While photography captures what already exists, clay allows her to create something new -- pieces that blend art and function, bringing moments of beauty and thoughtfulness into everyday life.
Danika Rowe is a Nebraska artist known for her expressive use of color and her unique technique with alcohol inks. Her work often blends realism with abstraction, inspired by the beauty of nature and her awe of God's designs in the world around her.
Working with poured inks and brushes, Rowe creates vibrant pieces that invite viewers to see the same landscape or flower in new ways reminding us beauty can look different depending on one's perspective. Recently, she has begun incorporating etched metal and collage papers into her art, adding layers of texture and meaning that reflect how smaller parts can come together to create something stronger and more beautiful.
A Message of Hope
Unbroken: The Art of Survival is more than an exhibit, it's a shared journey. Through the interplay of shadow and light, fractured and repair, Chanda Baker and Danika Rowe remind us that survival is not a single act, but an ongoing process of becoming.
The next time you find yourself in a stage of survival, remember this: you are not alone. Transformation may be painful, but from brokenness comes beauty and from endurance, strength.
Gallery Information
The Unbroken exhibit will open with a reception on Thursday, October 23 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The Columbus Art Gallery is located on the second floor of the Columbus Community Building, 2500 14 Street.
Unbroken: The Art of Survival will be on exhibit from October 23 to November 27.
Gallery hours are Monday - Thursday from 1-5 p.m. and Saturdays from 1-4 p.m.
The Columbus Art Gallery is free and open to the public.
