The White Plains-based show examines the current state of voting rights in America and features new and commissioned works by 20 Hudson Valley artists including those from White Plains, Carmel, Beacon, Orange, Peekskill, Cold Spring, Nyack, and Croton-on-Hudson, among others.
Some highlights:
- “ReDress” by Chappaqua Artist Laurel Garcia Colvin features decals of toile design images of early women’s rights through the African-American women of the civil rights movement and then modern day women’s rights. Beneath the decals are protest signs from the various historical periods. “ReDress” contextualizes the suffragist movement within an ongoing history of grass-roots political movements.
- Nyack Artist Johanna Goodman’s “Catalogue of Imaginary Beings” provides fanciful yet powerful tributes to the thousands of anonymous women who propelled the suffrage movement to victory, and to those women who continue to march and fight in the name of human rights today. The works draw inspiration and imagery from archival photographs, the history of portraiture, the media of grassroots political movements, Surrealism, and contemporary popular culture, among other sources.
- Brooklyn Artist Yashua Klos’ “Banners” portray poses of black individuals when asked to stand for the National Anthem while placing a closed fist on their heart. The subjects seem to carry different degrees of deference to this pose. They gaze up at something in the distance -- the American flag, or perhaps a vision of more just political ideals.
“Give Us the Vote gives us a chance to take a step back and understand what the current state of voting is in America," said Janet Langsam, CEO of ArtsWestchester.
"It exposes areas of improvement within the political system, while also raising awareness."
The exhibition, at the ArtsWestchester office at 31 Mamaroneck Ave., will be on view through January 27. Admission is free.
Docent tours are available with a suggested per person donation. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Friday, noon. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, noon to 6 p.m. For more information, visit www.artsw.org/giveusthevote.
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