main | Terrence L. Gore

Bio

Born in the ’60s and raised in Philadelphia, Terrence L. Gore’s creativity is essential to his character. An African-American, he embraced his culture and ingenuity, by applying his skills as an interior designer, curator, gourmet chef, caterer, and fashion stylist, to form an event company called T’Elgee Enterprises. Based for many years from his art gallery on South Street in Philadelphia, Gore curated shows and sold artwork by well-known African-American artists like Allen Stringfellow and Haitian artist Frank Louissaint. Later in life, Gore began professional dance training at the Philadelphia Dance Company and Gwendolyn Bye Dance Studio. He progressed quickly and was eventually invited to perform with The Obediah Wright Balance Dance Theater in New York City. Then in 2004, he performed in Gwendolyn Bye’s Production of The Nutcracker. In 2006, after many years of business success, Gore’s career was hindered due to a life-changing diagnosis of HIV. He was hospitalized for over a year with PML (Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy), paralyzed on the right side of his body (originally right-handed), and was temporarily blind in the right eye. Instead of allowing his diagnosis to impact his spirit, he used it to transform himself through exploration and expression of fine art that became therapeutic and healing.Gore is dedicated to using his healing crisis as a platform to educate the community about art therapy. He has developed his workshop series

entitled “The Art of Healing,” initially sponsored by the Lomax Family Foundation. The Painted Bride hosted the first two series’ of his workshop, which incorporated interactive art creation, dance, music and nutrition education to help participants explore their own creative expression and self-identity. Recently at the Woodmere Museum’s Annual 76th Juried Exhibition, Gore’s highlighted piece “Creating Beyond Limitation” (a tribute to esteemed artist Horace Pippin) won first prize. Created with earth consciousness in mind; Gore’s piece is mixed media in 3-D, consisting of various materials including: avocados (sanitized preserved, sculpted into human features), Indian bean pod shells, papyrus paper, leather prayer socks, coconut husk, satin, subway paint, and Gore’s recycled garments. This was his third exhibition. Gore received praise for his first collection, ”The Stroke of Genius”, which was presented in collaboration with radio station WURD, in 2009. His second solo exhibition entitled “Another Stroke of Genius” was presented by the nonprofit, Art From The Heart, in 2012 on South Street. Reflecting on his success, Gore states, “I want to continue to have my art known and appreciated, to make a difference as a disabled artist; to share my journey and help others heal while I am alive! ( rather than being celebrated after I am dead.) I give credit to my medical practitioners, combined with my personal approach and staying on top of my healthy holistic transformation.”

A Portrait