A Call For Justice: a social justice juried undergraduate art exhibition
This online-only juried exhibition features artwork by Purdue undergraduate students reflecting on the Black Lives Matter social justice movement. The exhibition was sponsored by Purdue Galleries and the College of Liberal Arts Office of Diversity & Inclusion and juried by Dr. Shannon McMullen, Associate Professor of the Department of Art & Design and of American Studies, and Danicia Malone, Programs & Facilities Manager, Purdue Black Cultural Center.
Abeo Peterson
Title
When they hear us, but still don't listen
Material
Canvas painting/collage
Description
This piece was made during the protests that took place all over the nation as the Black Lives Matter Movement took a turn. After the unlawful killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, I took to one of the ways to best release the hurt I felt after these tragic events. There are many different elements to this piece as it highlights the many lives of African American men, women, and children whose lives were lost; snippets of some of the protest that took place, and at the center, the symbol for Black Power. Each section outlines the magnitude of the Black Lives Matter Movement and how it must move forward. Justice is something that is not present when it comes to African Americans. The color of our skin has divided us for so long and whenever we try to use our voices they are disregarded. This piece evokes the power of the Black Voice being heard over and over again, but still no one listening.
Jada Jenkins
Title
Because I am Black
Material
Canvas painting
Description
Marvin Rea
Title
Faces of Black Power
Material
collection of stamp designs
Description
USPS Postage stamps are pieces of Americana inspiring visions of patriotism and apple pie. These are the same visions invoked with the chanting of “Make America Great Again.” “Faces of Black Power” is a collection of postage stamps inspired by the history of Black freedom fighters, rather than the whitewashed history and vision of early America often portrayed.
Many view the Black Lives Matter movement as a novel moment rather than what it truly is being the latest in the long fight for civil justice by Black America. The individuals chosen were prominent members of Black Power organizations such as the Black Panther Party or Black Liberation Army often painted as villains in the White American consciousness.
Marvin Rea (third place)
Title
Walking While Black: Purdue Edition
Material
psychogeographic guided experience
Description
Psychogeography, coined by Marxist theorist Guy Debord in 1955, describes the effect of a geographical location on the emotions and behavior of individuals. Psychogeography often explores the urban environments with an emphasizes on playfulness and "drifting”. “Walking While Black” is a guided personal reflection on the individuals comfort level within an urban environment, specifically Purdue.
To be Black in America is to live in a constant state of unwelcomeness. This is a very subtle experience difficult to put in words. As we have watched the spread of the Black Lives Matter movement spurred on by police brutality, I feel it is important to remember the more pedestrian effects of racism on the lives of Black Americans.
Hanwoo Cho
Title
Not So Black And White
Material
Photograph
Description
Lindsey Schumacher
Title
Maya Angelou
Material
Hard pastel on canvas
Description
During the search for racial justice, I have pursued stories of black people through the famous words of Maya Angelou. Listening to Maya read her poems pushed me to create this lively portrait of her.
AMAZING PEACE: A Christmas Poem by Maya Angelou
"Peace. We look at our world and speak the word aloud.
Peace. We look at each other, then into ourselves
And we say without shyness or apology or hesitation.
Peace, My Brother.
Peace, My Sister.
Peace, My Soul."
Taya Billingsley (honorable mention)
Title
Secret meaning of Flowers: Self Portrait
Material
Watercolor, Colored pencil, Acrylic
Description
Over the summer of 2020, a lot in terms of the conversation of racial dynamics have taken place. In my own moments of reflection, I thought about how I am affected by racial tensions. All the ways I can think of were subtle actions from strangers to me that showed that they saw me in a negative light solely because I was existing. I learned not to care but I did want to create something for my living room. I wanted the painting the have meaning but still, be palatable for those people who want a calming atmosphere and to enjoy a painting. I started to think about how much I have in common with flowers. Flowers are these symbols of beauty love and all of these other positives but I wondered if there were negative meaning behind some and Google did deliver me the results of negative symbolism.
For this painting, I choose flowers whose symbolism befit stereotypes black women are confronted with such as the gladiolus which is a symbol of strength something that I was told to have and am expected to have especially when something goes wrong or if something is unfair. The bluebell is known for humility. I am required to not over celebrate my achievements because then I am full of myself and also people jump at the chance to humble me and lessen the strides I have made. Yellow carnations symbolize disappointment and rejection since Black women “are the least attractive women” we are likely to be rejected. Columbine symbolizes the fool because people either think I am funny or foolish. Marigolds are associated with death and there are plenty of people who wish I was dead. The final interesting one happens to be the tansy which was used as a declaration of war and whether it because people think I’m violent or because I am fighting a war against stereotypes war has been declared.
Other symbolism includes the addition of Queen Anne’s lace which is delicate and fragile like my hair and my emotions and the color purple for the negative aspects associated such as inferiority, profanity, arrogance, and gaudiness (all things that are associated with Black women) as well as the positives wisdom, luxury and quality all things I wish I and others could associate with me as a person.
Taya Billingsley
Title
Withering Strength and Lasting Humility
Material
Copper and Brass
Description
In the summer when coming up with a meaningful concept for an art project I became fixated on the idea of flowers being like people more so like Black people. Subject to assumption whether they are truthful or not. In the case of Black people, most of those things are negative such as violence or annoyance. In the case of flowers, most people associate them with love, beauty, and other sentiments. I wondered if there was a negative meaning to all of the beautiful flowers and there were indeed some. This concept and idea of flowers and their negativity stuck with me when I got back to Purdue.
The idea for this raised vessel/ bowl was that the bowl that would hold all the flowers that had similar meanings to the held stereotypes of Black women for example yellow carnations symbolize rejection to represent the idea that Black women are unattractive and undesirable so much so that a pseudoscientist published a nonsensical article about it. However, much like life (and laws to help injustice) just because it is a great idea on paper does not mean it is going to actualize itself into reality. The only flowers that survived to the final product were the bluebells and the remnants of a stalk of gladiolus (one bud and two petals). On top of that, the coloring process left the bowl looking as if it survived a longstanding war and was recovered from a fire. Despite all of this I find it to make a perfect statement. The story of a longstanding battle a battle that Black women face way too often, their world being destroyed, having to fight for respect and to be heard, having to been strong and as a result, their pain is not taken seriously. After the fighting what do they, no, what do we have left? Bluebells and gladiolus that has withered. Bluebells the flowers that symbolize humility, the modest/ low view of ourselves. Gladiolus the symbol of strength that even though is it is relied upon often and it withers, we must hold on to it because if we are not strong for ourselves who will be strong for us?
Christian Stout
Title
Holding the line
Material
Photograph
Description
This was taken on day 2 of the Fort Wayne protests. After walking 5 blocks around the outside of the city we ended up meeting a line of police officers in front of the Hoppy Gnome on Clinton and Berry Street. This next hour tested me mentally seeing the anguish and resilience from many of the protestors as when this picture was shot we had been subjected to tear gas and rubber bullets on two separate occasions beforehand. Everytime we would collect ourselves and push forward. Holding a 20ft gap between us and them. Letting them know that we're here to stay. That we had a purpose. That we were a community of people supporting a cause and each other.
Christian Stout
Title
She's right. Accountability matters.
Material
Photograph
Description
Day 1 of the week long protests here in Fort Wayne, IN. This was the first canister of tear gas that went off in front of the court house that day and for what I didn't know at the time but for the next week as well. Just like her sign reads, accountability is a must and was one of the many reasons myself along with others came together that day to communicate this message and many others, had validity.
Zachary Matthews (second place)
Title
False Dilemma
Material - via YouTube
Description
The animation is about a Nonbinary Character whose confronted by a demon of the night and forced to decide whether they are male or female. I originally created this piece to show support of the nonbinary community and their struggle to be recognized as valid. During the course of black and LGBTQIA+ history, gender-nonconforming black individuals have been fundamental in kickstarting and moving progress forward while also being most vulnerable within our society, something which I hope the main character of this animation can embody.
Hayley Tang
Title
My Life Matters
Material
Black and White Film Exposures, Self-Developed / Photographs
Description
'My Life Matters' shows a young black male protestor looking over his shoulder at the street behind him, where a line of counter-protesters had gathered, many yelling hateful things over our chants. A truck passes by, with the driver looking at the gathering with outrage.
Hayley Tang
Title
Where Love Begins
Material
Black and White Film Exposures, Self-Developed / Photographs
Description
'Where Love Begins' was taken in downtown Indianapolis, near Mass Ave, in the middle of the summer during the height of activity surrounding BLM. I thought the look of the boarded-up business but the hopeful and uplifting art on it was an interesting contrast.
Tessa Wojkovich (first place)
Title
May 26th
Material
Punch Needle on Canvas
Description
Support from a social distance.
Keagan Slocum
Title
Swift Injustice
Material
MP4Description
I wrote this piece very early into the protests. It was like late May/early June. Since the Ferguson protests, I supported Black Lives Matter, but this summer I felt especially useless and anxious because I wasn't protesting myself, so in order to ease some of the anxiety, I began writing songs based on the movement. Swift Injustice was the first of about five songs I wrote that was inspired from the protests and it was written in the quickest amount of time, taking about an hour at the most. The piece really means a lot to me because it is one of very few songs I have written that I have a personal connection to.
Lyrics:
[Verse 1]
Freedom has a cost,
Currency in lives we’ve lost,
So we take to the streets for change,
For the gods to look the other way.
There’s fire to the left of me
And a man who didn't’t to bleed.
My mother’s begging me to run
She’s praying that she’ll call my bluff.
[Chorus]
There’s people outside my window,
People outside I’ll never know,
Cause they were stolen by swift injustice.
There’s children, women, men outside my door,
Whose portraits I’ve seen but they’re so much more,
And they were stolen by swift injustice.
[Verse 2]
There’s a time to fight,
Through fire and peace alike,
Cause they only respond to this
If it’s bad for business.
My friend said that they hated me,
That they couldn't stand for my beliefs.
They’re questioning integrity,
While they’re shitting on equality.
[Chorus]
There’s people outside my window,
People outside I’ll never know,
Cause they were stolen by swift injustice.
There’s children, women, men outside my door,
Whose portraits I’ve seen but they’re so much more,
And they were stolen by swift injustice.