OP-ED
Using art as a means to promote social justice
BY RORY I. LANCMAN
This week, artists across
Queens will once again showcase
their work to promote
social justice.
For many, art is a medium
that provides the opportunity
to express views,
experiences, and personal
struggles that can be too difficult
to speak about. Art is
a vehicle for people to process
pain and trauma. Its
interdisciplinary functionality
allows artists to convey
powerful messages.
Art is a form of communication.
It has the power to tell
stories in ways that words or
statistics cannot.
For these reasons, artists
have historically
used their work to create
dialogues around social
injustices. Their art
challenges prejudices and encourages
discussions through
visual representations of
racial inequalities and
oppressive institutions.
This was the catalyst that
led to the founding of the
Social Justice Art Exhibit
four years ago. The visual
impact that art has on an
audience is unparalleled to
any work we do. Art has the
power to encourage people to
fight oppression.
Art is accessible to everyone,
creating communities
that go beyond cultural barriers.
It is a universal ‘language’
that can be created
by anyone, regardless of any
social hurdles.
Art is social justice.
When the work of an artist
highlights issues such as racial
discrepancies and challenges
injustice, it creates a
visual catalyst to engage not
only affected communities,
but individuals who do not
have similar experiences.
Art, in itself, fosters empathy
and understanding. For
this reason, it is important
to acknowledge the role that
art has planned in many of
the implemented criminal
justice reforms.
And as we recognize the
work that still needs to be
done, we should encourage
and support artists who
share their work to challenge
oppressive systems and
raise awareness.
It is a pleasure to curate
this exhibit in collaboration
with Congress Member
Gregory Meeks, New York
State Senator Leroy Comrie,
and New York City Council
Member Adrienne Adams.
The exhibit will feature
more than 20 original works
of art, highlighting social justice
issues and racial discrepancies
in the criminal justice
system. Artists featured in
the Social Justice Art Show
include: Wanda Best, Kulwant
Bains, Herman Baron, Kevin
Veal, Letesh Bhanot, Elaine
Chaplin, Katherine DeVeaux,
Adrienne Horthorne, Rochdale
Village Art Class, Crystal
Ife Sekhem, Julia Shaw,
Iman I Smith, Shenna Vaugh,
Shavona Warmington, Carlton
Williams, Lisa D. Wade,
and Jackie Carr.
It is important to make
these platforms available for
artists so they can amplify
their voices and creatively
come together to stimulate
collective consciousness and
promote social justice.
City Councilman Rory
Lancman represents the 24th
Council District, which includes
Kew Gardens Hills,
Pomonok, Electchester, Fresh
Meadows, Hillcrest, Jamaica
Estates, Briarwood, Parkway
Village, Jamaica Hills
and Jamaica.
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