See the Deadlocked and Loaded: Disarming American exhibition catalog here: https://bit.ly/3pYrQxg
Purchase the catalog on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/2MpXVzD
Deadlocked and Loaded Artist Talk via Zoom on 3/10/21
Artist List: Salma Arastu, Jenny Balisle, Holly Ballard Martz, Alice Beasley, Lorraine Bonner, Mona Cliff, Beth Costello, Cat Del Buono, Sally Edelstein, Christine Ferrouge, Karen Fiorito, Justyne Fischer, Pamela Flynn, Nette Forné Thomas, Lisa Freeman, Christine Ilewski, Marlowe Jones, Leslie Kerby, Jennifer Kim Sohn, Kate Kretz, Nina Kuo, Beth Lakamp, Ann J. Lewis, Sarah Maple, Chandrika Marla, Penny Mateer, Kelly Mathews, Kristine Mays, JoAnne McFarland, Carol-Anne McFarlane, Brandi Merolla, Rosemary Meza-DesPlas, Nancy Ohanian, Melanie Olivia, Priscilla Otani, Sibylle Peretti, Amy Pleasant, Michele Pred, Lucky Rapp, Jenny Reinhardt, Sinan Revell, Karen J. Revis, Beverly Rippel, Kadie Salfi, Gigi Salij, Sarah Stolar Stolar, Patricia Turner, and Margi Weir.
CURATORIAL ESSAY
What does America value? Life or Liberty? Deadlocked and Loaded: Disarming America is a “locked and loaded” conversation through art, showcasing work in all media, that addresses our culture of violence and gun issues in the United States—particularly in how it affects women, children, and marginalized peoples.
Our gun culture, systemic racism, toxic masculinity, police brutality and the rise of white supremacy in America, are undeniably urgent issues that cannot be avoided or ignored. Polarized, political times call for political, activist art and I am grateful for the opportunity to showcase these artists. Through my curatorial practice, I promote and support local, national, and global art activism. I believe that the artist’s voice can help to foster important dialogues and inspire others to add their voice.
Given our volatile political climate, with the normalization of white nationalism and derisive rhetoric inciting violence, the last four years have made it clear there is a new urgency to address the root causes dividing our country. Our troubling complacency to mass shootings at school, curches and public spaces, shootings involving the police, and “stand your ground” ideology—underscore our collective responsibility to come together for the health and wellbeing of our country, communities, our families, and ourselves.
From a feminist perspective with work from 36 self-identified female artists, this exhibition is showcased at ArtRage, the Community Folk Art Center and Point of Contact galleries. It is a visual testimony—combining lived experiences, memory, identity, and beliefs—documenting societal issues related to our culture of violence and systemic racism, crafting narratives blending art, activism, and a cry for social justice to amplify the voices of those who have been historically silenced.
Deadlocked and Loaded: Disarming America reflects this important cultural moment with art that shouts, “enough is enough” and speaks truth to power. This exhibition is meant to “disarm”—a double entendre—not only removing guns from society and those that would seek to harm, but more importantly, to be disarming to the viewer to engender empathy and compassion to the aftermath and consequences of said violence.
Art can be beautiful. It can be ugly and hard to look at. Art, however, is not just about depicting beauty, but rather encapsulating and expressing the artists experience and perspective into a visual form. It leads not to one conclusion, but rather stimulates our subconscious and emotions, that may move us to alter our perceptions and viewpoints.
This exhibition seeks to engage viewers to listen to each other and collectively seek solutions. Art is a mirror we can hold up to look at ourselves. When we authentically come together, we are empowered to create community and facilitate positive change. We can alter the social narrative though art—it can influence the way we think and act as individuals, and as a society. We need the conversations and the action that follow to build bridges to a more peaceable union that has the foundation of justice for all.