Nos Populi – We The People

Join us in a celebration that is as much a reflection of self as it is a collective affirmation of who we are together. Step into Womble Bond Dickinson's space and let “Nos Populi: We the People”  challenge, inspire, and unite you with the spirit of Houston.

Experience the pulse of Houston's soul with “Nos Populi: We the People”—an immersive art exhibition by Womble Bond Dickinson. Open from December 6th to June 6th, 2024, this vibrant showcase transcends the conventional to celebrate the rich tapestry of Houston's community spirit.

In the heart of our dynamic city, the new Houston office of Womble Bond Dickinson transforms into a canvas where the stories of “Nos Populi: We the People” come alive. Here, four renowned local artists converge, each piece a symphony of perspectives, cultures, and identities that define the American experience.

Art & Diversity at Womble Bond Dickinson presents Nos Populi – We The People, our initial themed art exhibition featuring a selection of sixteen incredible artworks by four talented Houston-based artists. Nos Populi – We The People challenged these Houston-based artists, who work in diverse media and forms, to take a bold and original stance on this theme. Each work of art offers a unique perspective on what it means to be a part of a community and to belong to a larger whole. All of the works on display explore the complex topics that surround empathy, connection, identity, and human experience. 
 

John Bernhard
Luisa Duarte
Farima Fooladi
Nel Gaskin
  • John Bernhard is a Swiss American artist and photographer who traveled North America extensively before settling in Houston, Texas in 1980. For more than three decades he has chosen the medium of photography to explore the everyday world from new perspectives, breaking away into different pathways of artistic expression. 
  • Starting in 1985 with a solo exhibition at the Houston Center for Photography, Bernhard has had more than 30 solo shows, three museum exhibitions, and many collective exhibitions throughout the U.S., Canada, and Europe. 
  • He is the author of 10 books, his work is included in 20 museum collections, such as the Denver Museum of Art, Minneapolis Institute of the Arts, Musée de la Photographie, Belgium, Musée de L’Elysée, Switzerland, Museet for Fotokunst, Denmark, New Mexico Museum of Arts, Pushkin Museum of Art, Russia, Southeast Museum of Photography, Florida, and The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. 

Learn more about John

  • Luisa Duarte is an accomplished Venezuelan American multidisciplinary artist currently based in Houston, Texas. 
  • With a background in architecture, Duarte’s artistic creations reflect a unique sensibility that is evident in all her works. Having relocated to the United States in 2003, she embarked on a journey of art exploration, engaging in independent studies at renowned institutions such as The Southwest School of Arts in San Antonio, The Glassell School of Art, Art League Houston, among others. 
  • Duarte has garnered widespread recognition for her distinctive and original artistic style, characterized by sharp-edged shapes that range from composed monotypes to vibrant paintings. Her art draws attention to compelling themes of boundaries, fragility, personal and public spaces, inviting viewers to reflect upon these captivating subjects. 
  • Duarte has recently served as an artist in residence at the Asia Society of Texas and the new P.A.C Art Residency, further deepening her artistic practice and expanding her creative horizons. 
  • In recognition of her talent and contributions to the art world, Duarte was selected to showcase her work in the exhibition “Texas Artists: Women of Abstraction” held at the Art Museum of South Texas in Corpus Christi. Her artistic endeavors have been honored with the prestigious 2019 “Cities Initiative Grant” awarded by the Houston Arts Alliance, underscoring her commitment to artistic excellence and community engagement. 

Learn more about Luisa

  • Farima Fooladi was born in Tehran, Iran, in a transition period from Monarchy to the Islamic Republic and theocracy. She lives in Houston, TX. She teaches at the University of Houston. 
  • Fooladi completed her MFA and taught at Penn State University before moving to Houston, TX. Recipient of the Pollock-Krasner Foundation Grant for June 2023 to June 2024, Fooladi is looking forward to expanding her studio practice into another side of an urban life and city experience for marginalized citizens by asking the following questions: How does diversity play a role in hospitality concerning urban life? What part of your identity survives, and what part hibernates for the latest reinvention? 
  • Her painting titled “Mirage” was purchased with the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs (MOCA)’s support for Houston Airports in 2020 to add to the Civic Art Collection at Houston Airports. She is fascinated by the lasting impact of collective trauma caused by Invasion, Migration, and Displacement. The transformation of civic spaces caused by social and political changes particularly interests her. Fooladi’s 8th solo show opened on January 15, 2022, at Smack Mellon in Dumbo, Brooklyn, NY. After her solo show in Dumbo Brooklyn, she was interviewed by the BBC. Her recent painting has been published in the New American Paintings, No 162. Fooladi got nominated and became an artist residence in the fourth iteration of Artists on Site at the Asia Society Texas in Houston, in the Summer of 2023. 

Visit her website. 

  • NELXART is a visual artist who currently works and lives in Houston. She paints her pieces from pure imagination. Combining emotion and a variety of expressions on the characters in which she creates. Her work is vibrant, gravitational, and fearless; reflecting NELXART’s own character. 
  • NELXART was born in Houston, Texas in 1990. She began painting at a young age and has been creating art ever since. She is self-taught and has no formal training in art. NELXART draws inspiration from her own life experiences, as well as from the world around her. She is interested in exploring themes of identity, culture, and gender in her work. 
  • NELXART’s work has been exhibited in solo and group exhibitions at galleries and museums across the United States. She has also received numerous awards and fellowships, including the Joan Mitchell Foundation Painters and Sculptors Grant and the Rema Hort Mann Foundation Emerging Artist Grant. 
  • NELXART is a rising star in the contemporary art world. Her work is both visually stunning and thought-provoking. She is a powerful voice for women and minorities and her work is an important contribution to the larger conversation about identity, culture, and gender. 
  • Here are some additional details about NELXART’s work: 
  • She is interested in the ways in which art can be used to explore complex social and political issues. 
  • She is also interested in the intersection of art and technology. 
  • She is committed to using her art to create a more just and equitable world. 
  • NELXART is a talented artist who is making a significant impact on the world. Her work is sure to continue to inspire and challenge viewers for years to come. 
  • NELXART’s work is available for purchase on her website. She also offers workshops and classes for aspiring artists. 
     

Learn more about Nel

“Art is a powerful tool for promoting understanding and inclusion. Through creative expression from different traditions, art gives voice to the many varied experiences of our community. We look forward to celebrating the diverse cultures, perspectives, and identities of our our great city, and firmwide, and to sharing the works of these talented artists with friends and clients of Womble Bond Dickinson and the community at large.”

Kevin A. Hall, Chair of the Firm's Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee

Take the Virtual Tour

Click through the experience below to see our local artists' work throughout our Houston office space.

Explore the Photo Gallery

We appreciate all who joined us for our event, "Open Doors, Open Minds: An Evening of Art, Culture, and Connections" on December 6, 2023.

Explore the Photo Gallery

Artists Talks

On February 27, our Black Affinity Group hosted Nel Gaskin for a "Sweet Talks" kickoff event with WBD Partner Daniella Landers.

On March 27, Farima Fooladi joined our Houston office for a discussion of her life and work, hosted by WBD Partner Kevin Davis.

On April 25, Luisa Duarte discussed how how her cultural background and life experience influenced her creative process.

On May 15, John Bernhard shared insights into his life, work, and the recurring themes of nature and transformation in his art.

Artists Nel Gaskin and Farima Fooladi with Womble's Azie Aziz, Daniella Landers, and Kevin Davis.Artists Luisa Duarte and John Bernhard with Womble's Francisco Balduzzi, Azie Aziz, and José Luis Vittor.

“We are honored to launch this innovative exhibition, Art & Diversity, that features the work of talented local artists. We believe that this exhibition reflects our commitment to diversity and inclusion to and within the greater Houston community, and we are excited to share it with the community broadly. We also believe the art can create a personal touch to the Houston office.”

Jeffrey Whittle, Houston Office Managing Partner, Womble Bond Dickinson

 

Our Featured Artists' Work

 

Farima Fooladi
Artist: Farima Fooladi
 
Road of Curiosities, 2019
 
Mixed media on canvas
40 x 53 inches

$8,000

Nel Gaskin

 

Artist: Nel Gaskin

Perfect Citizen, 2023

Dimensions :48 x 60
Medium : Acrylic, oil on canvas

$8,500 each

Displaced

 

Artist: John Bernhard

Displaced

Dimensions: 30 x 30 in
Medium: UV cured ink on metal

$1,750 each

 

Glorious Invasion

 

Artist: Farima Fooladi

Glorious Invasion

Dimensions: 15 x 15 in
Medium: Mixed media on canvas

$2,000

Shazdeh Garden

 

Artist: Farima Fooladi

Shazdeh Garden

Dimensions: 24 x 24 in
Medium: Mixed media on canvas

$3,500

Wish for Parachute

 

Artist: Farima Fooladi

Wish for Parachute

Dimensions: 24 x 24 in
Medium: Mixed media on canvas

$3,000

I Need a Soldier

 

Artist: Nel Gaskin

I need a soldier

Dimensions: 24 x 32 in

Medium: Acrylic on canvas
 

SOLD

Ladies

 

Artist: Nel Gaskin

Ladies

Dimensions: 36 x 36 in

Medium: Acrylic on canvas

$6,225

Crossing the Bridge

 

Artist: Luisa Duarte

Crossing the Bridge

Dimensions: 51.5 x 71 x 2.75 in

Medium: Acrylic on paper on board

$6,500

Clearing the path

 

Artist: Luisa Duarte 

Clearing the Path 

Dimensions: 24 x 72.25 x 0 in 

Medium: Archival inkjet print on 100% cotton rag paper

SOLD