The Rose

At first glance, the group show might appear as another compilation of works by a diverse group of artists sharing individual thoughts about society today, but taken together, we can see the carefully curated message being communicated: the outcry for change. Curated by Justine Kurland and Marina Chao, The Rose “urges us to honor revision and reprisal as correctives for the skewed lenses that distort our worldview,” Kurland comments. Addressing social justice issues ranging from reproductive rights to anti-diversity sentiments, the selected artists display their contempt for the current state of the world.

Some of the most captivating works subtly wove in their messages, like Pamela Sneed’s Autopsy for Tyre Nichols. Only once the viewer is close enough to read the headlines does Nichols’ story become clear, and the disappointment in society is communicated that a death caused by police is commonplace. Similarly, Keisha Scarville’s Passports collage utilizes a real passport photo to “respond to the transformative effects of immigration and the fragility of citizenship here in America.”

Other works, like Virginia Reath’s Zero Grávida and Olivia Reavey’s The Rose, Bleed I and Bleed II proclaim their intentions with strong feminist messaging that is boldly stated. Reavey considers the provocative nature of her work a product of her goals in creating art: “Some people don’t like looking at these pictures, and I like that. Instilling objection into some and wonder into others is important to me.” Reath discussed how her background as a women’s healthcare provider has inspired her work.

All of the works, both individually and in dialogue with each other, underscore human struggles and difficult questions society is facing today. The message from this curated collection is clear: diversity makes us stronger, women still need empowerment today, minorities require a voice, and injustices will continue to demand rectification.