Camilla d'Errico's work will be on the website TODAY

Camilla d'Errico "Sky"

“We all live under the same sky,” is a phrase d’Errico heard while she was in Italy, and it’s something she feels we need to remember now more than ever. In a pointed clapback against the recent surge in nationalism, all the work premiering in Sky is a celebration of the rainbow of people living on our planet, with the most diverse set of characters d’Errico has ever created. Symbols of unity abound in every piece, with some characters revealing their rainbow interiors to reflect a multi-cultural heritage. Bees are a recurring theme, and butterflies have long been a symbol d’Errico features in her work. In Sky, they take on a special significance: not only are they one of the most diverse species on the planet, they are found in nearly every single country around the globe.

In her new series of ink drawings, d’Errico is focusing entirely on mer-people and the diversity of life under the sea—a whole other world that also exists under the same sky as us. “The ocean is the lifeblood of the planet,” says d’Errico. “Looking from above you only see one color—one surface. But underneath the waves, there is so much going on, and it’s all connected. The schools of fish, the predators, the bottom-feeders, they’re all swimming together, and there’s no division. That’s how we should live our lives.”

A New Brow artist, d’Errico’s creative enterprises have been as diverse as the characters depicted in this show. In addition to being a high-profile painter and comicbook artist, she has branched out into the worlds of vinyl collectible toys, fashion, accessories, decor, homegoods and more. All of these will be showcased in a large, “Ikea store-like” installation in the gallery, with a model room created top-to-bottom out of everything from Camilla d’Errico furniture to wallpaper.

The opening reception for “Sky” will be hosted Saturday, April 7 from 7-11pm in Gallery 1 at Corey Helford Gallery. The reception is open to the public and the exhibit will be on view through May 5.