Art is a powerful catalyst for bringing attention to important issues that receive only marginal attention. That fact of reality was one of the motivating factors for creating The Healing Power of ART & ARTISTS website. We like to bring these issues to the forefront here and promote them across a wide range of social media networks. In this post you’ll find out about two important art exhibitions that raise awareness.
ON THE INSIDE
“ON THE INSIDE” is a group exhibition of 450 works by LGBTQ artists who are currently incarcerated. This show “offers a rare glimpse into the emotional complexities of a marginalized and forgotten community whose artistry reflect a longing to be seen and acknowledged beyond an existence that reduces them to a number.” It is described as “a meditation on humanity, identity, spirituality and desire that gives voice to varied LGBTQ viewpoints that have been silenced.” In this pivotal exhibition these individuals are recognized as artists.
The exhibition will be on view from November 5 through December 18, 2016 at Abrons Arts Center, 466 Grand Street, New York, NY. It was conceived by Tatiana von Furstenberg and Black & Pink www.blackandpink.org.
About Black & Pink
Black & Pink is “an open family of LGBTQ prisoners and ‘free world’ allies who support each other. Our work toward the abolition of the prison industrial complex is rooted in the experience of currently and formerly incarcerated people. We are outraged by the specific violence of the prison industrial complex against LGBTQ people, and respond through advocacy, education, direct service, and organizing.”
About the Abrons Arts Center
The Abrons Arts Center www.abronsartscenter.org “supports the presentation of innovative, multi-disciplinary work; cultivates artists in all stages of their creative development through educational programs and residencies; and serves as an intersection of cultural engagement for local, national, and international audiences and art-workers.”
Embedded Messages
“Embedded Messages, Debating the Dream: Truth, Justice and the American Way” is one of the most important and timely art exhibitions taking place at Pepper Art Gallery, University of Redlands Art Gallery www.theartsatredlands.com, 1200 E Colton Ave, Redlands, California. The exhibition runs from October 18 thru November 12, 2016.
Seven Female Art Activists Examine Social and Political Issues
In this exhibition seven female art activists examine social and political issues. Sally Edelstein, Karen Gutfreund, Penny Mateer, Sinan Revell, Debra Thompson, Linda Vallejo and Margi Weir collectively ask the viewer—what is happening with America, can we still identify the American dream and if so, who does the dream apply to?
The work in this show communicates strong political declarations provoking and pressing for awareness and social change through art with compelling, narrative stories on contemporary issues while conveying an underlying philosophy of collective responsibility and commitment to change.
Unified by topic, with “embedded messages” running throughout, this exhibition addresses racism, sexism, classicism, gender identity, immigration, poverty, the environment, culture of violence, and the ongoing wars.
Serving to Educate and Stimulate Dialogue
With polarized political parties and the absurdity of the news media focusing on sound bites with biased editorials rather than real news, this collection of art addressing issues of social justice stimulate dialog on truth, justice and the American Way. The work serves to educate and sensitize the viewer to various issues.
Message From The Curator
“As a curator, I have spent the last decade promoting the work of women artists however with world events,the ongoing wars and social justice issues becoming more dire, my focus has shifted to art as activism and art to effect social change. My own artwork has been statement art about morality and satirical commentary of current events and so I pulled together a fabulous group (and it just happens to be all women artists) that were working in the same genre and had dedicated their practice to activist art.” ~ Karen Gutfreund
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Barbara Adrienne Rosen says
I would like to exhibit in your online gallery. How do I go about doing this?
Thanks,
Barbara Adrienne Rosen
Renee Phillips says
Thank you Barbara. To exhibit in our online gallery, please visit about our exhibitions page. That’s where we announce calls for artists.