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Friday, July 14, 6-10pm, The Vanderelli Room, 218 McDowell St.
This event will feature live painters, performances, and film screenings; cocktails and a prison-themed microwave bar will be available for snacking.
Curators’ Statement:
“Imagining Abolition: Reset” presents the talent of RAG [Returning Artists Guild] artists who are either formerly incarcerated or currently serving time, their works illuminating the potential for creativity to flourish under the most depraved circumstances. Through their artistic expressions, these individuals have emerged as pioneers of contemporary practice and production, redefining the boundaries of art and its ability to transcend physical and psychological confinement.
This exhibition is not solely an opportunity for passive observation; it is a call to action. We urge you to take the time and space you need to fully engage with the profound material presented. These artists have poured their hearts and souls into their creations, using art as a medium to navigate their own journeys of self-discovery and healing. By giving their art the attention that it deserves, you enable their voices to be heard and their experiences to be acknowledged. The artworks on display provide an unfiltered glimpse into the lives and minds of those who have experienced incarceration firsthand. Each piece serves as a testament to the unique perspective that emerges from such an existence, revealing the dream of a world without prisons and jails.
Some works may elicit discomfort, prompting us to question our own assumptions and prejudices. The artists’ unfiltered expressions of anger, pain, vulnerability, and resilience invite us to confront uncomfortable truths about the structures that perpetuate the cycle of incarceration. It is through this discomfort that we are pushed to confront our own biases, challenge the systems in place, and advocate for a more equitable society. Together, we can strive for a future where the artistic expressions of the “criminal class” are celebrated, where rehabilitation takes precedence over punishment, and where opportunities for resources, safety, and healing are extended to all.
#imaginingabolition #abolitionnow
Hosted by The Vanderelli Room.
