Make.shift Gallery Presents“We Protest”
Guest Curated by Carrie Cooper
Make.Shift Gallery has invited artists, protesters and organizers to share their unique perspectives through visual art. The October gallery show called for submissions of protest signs and banners used in recent protests and rallies, as well as original art in any medium inspired by current events. Originally, we had gone to the protests and seen so many creative signs. There were signs that went beyond the usual bold lettered phrase and dove head first into fine art. Our intent for this show was to provide a platform for that content to be seen in a different setting. The show was then opened up to artists across to submit politically based art to provide an array of mediums and perspectives.
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“Reh-PAH-roh (Reparo)”
paint and oil pastel on wood (wand not shown).
NFS
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“Seeing Red Mike”
Oil pastel on paper
NFS
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“Writing Textiles: Unraveling and Democracy”
Ink on Paper
NFS
Artist Statement: Art is cathartic. Getting myself off the bench, participating, discussing, reaching out to friends, educating myself and children, crying, nightmares, and donating to make this rock better.
reh-PAH-roh (Reparo)-In Harry Potter, the mending charm (reparo) fixes broken objects and is said to seamlessly repair most materials. We are the magic that is needed.
Seeing Red Mike-Inspired by the photography by Christian Cody for the GQ article "The Political Education of Killer Mike". (https://www.gq.com/story/killer-mike-the-atlanta-way) I reached out to Christian and received his blessing to remix his iconic photograph. Sgraffito by pen plotter with lines oriented by chance.
Writing Textiles: Unraveling and Democracy-These are generative art pieces rendered with a pen plotter that turns the words "UNRAVELING" and "DEMOCRACY" into a a boteh (paisley) shape using a single, continuous thread.
Maria Jane Davenport
Maria Jane Davenport
(She/her)
“Banners on Display at Bellingham Public Library”
Secondhand Fabric
NFS
Maria Jane Davenport
(She/her)
“Black Lives Matter Fundraising Sticker”
Digital Illustration
$7.00 (20 available) Funds go to BLM Global Network or Local BIPOC Community based organization
Maria Jane Davenport
(She/her)
“Black Lives Matter Banner”
Secondhand tablecloth and fabric
$100.00 Funds go to BLM Global Network or Local BIPOC Community based organization
Artist Statement: I was inspired to sew a few banners for protests and memorials in Bellingham and Seattle in June. I used my medium and skill of sewing to upcycling a floral table cloth into a banner reading Black Lives Matter. I also used material to sew more banners including "RIP GEORGE FLOYD" "I CANT BREATHE" and "GIVE A DAMN" Two banners were hung at the George Floyd Memorial at the Bellingham Library. Two others are currently hanging in my studio space. I would love to have them hanging and visual to the public, and ultimately donated to a BLM or BIPOC organization.
I also created (in Procreate) an illustrated version of my BLM banner and sold stickers with 100% of the proceeds going to BLM.
I believe in standing with the BIPOC community and continuing the support and funding of the BLM movement.
Jordan Remington
Jordan Remington
“Respect For Black Lives”
Digital Art
NFS
Jordan Remington
“Trail for Teargas”
Digital Art
NFS
Bio:
Jordan Remington is a member of the Quileute Nation, a visual artist, and Seattle's premier Native American drag queen, Hailey Tayathy. Through their work, they aim to bring healing to Indigenous communities and to show everyone that Indigiqueers are still here and are stronger and more beautiful than colonized minds can imagine.
Statement for "Respect Black Lives"
During a protest at Seattle City Hall Mayor Jenny Durkan addressed the crowd starting with a land acknowledgment of Duwamish land and then proceeded to ignore the demands of BIPOC communities. In Coastal Native communities when we acknowledge the land it is not just about recognition. It's a promise to our hosts that we will conduct ourselves in a good way while in their home. If you truly acknowledged the land you'd be putting a stop to the police killing people for simply being Black or Brown. If you truly acknowledged the land you would listen to the community. If you truly acknowledged the land you would not be pepper-spraying and tear-gassing people when they try to make you listen. Until you're ready to conduct yourself in a good way your land acknowledgment is a lie. To this day Durkan has vetoed even small cuts to SPD's budget.
Statement for "Trail of Teargas"
I created this piece to process my own feelings after experiencing the use of weapons by police during protests. As protesters were forcibly moved through the use of chemical weapons, and flashbangs in ways that felt like they were forcibly moving us simply because they could, the connections to forced relocation seem obvious. From forced relocation to reservations to segregation to outlawing of potlatches to redlining to gentrification, controlling the movement of BIPOC individuals and their ability to gather has always been apart of the colonization process.
Jordan Weeks
Jordan Weeks
“A Nation Divided”
Mixed Media
$600
Artist Statement My artwork takes a critical look at political, social and racial issues that areoccurring currently in our society. Often focussing on uncomfortable or difficult topics, my artwork vividly expresses these issues through use of color and information. In the age of technology, the world is inundated with false or misleading information through thousands of sources at rapid speeds. Mostly from magazines and newspapers, my art is made up of clippings collaged together to provide a heightened awareness to the public. My work encourages debate and conversation about difficult topics that ultimately expose the viewers core morals and values. Expressive brush strokes and radical use of color visually enhances this notion of stepping out of your comfort zone. My artwork raises awareness and promotes conversation about the racial injustices many Americans suffer from while encouraging people to produce productive, collaborative change.
Bio:Residing in Bellingham Washington, Jordan Weeks is a mixed media artist with an interest in painting and paper collage. Exposed to the fine arts at an early age, she found pleasure in the more traditional forms of art such as painting and music. While finishing her Bachelors of Art Studio at Western Washington University, she experimented more with paper collage and found a true passion for it. Weeks has recently created a mixed media series focusing on political, social and racial issues that pertain to our current society. Her art is meant to provide awareness and truth in the age of misinformation, while also testing the boundaries of what people perceive as “right or wrong”. Weeks has been published in an annual magazine produced by the San Juan College Digital Media Art and Design department in 2015. Weeks has also been featured in multiple galleries at Western Washington University from 2016-2019.
Momma Rain
Momma Rain
(She/her)
“Fear for Our Fathers, Brothers, and Sons”
Acrylic on Canvas
$220
Momma Rain
(She/her)
“Captain America”
Acrylic on Canvas
$1,250
Momma Rain
(She/her)
“Say Their Name”
Acrylic on Canvas
NFS
Bio: Maria Buszinski has been creating art under Momma Rain for the past 10 years and following her passion to create. She currently is working primarily with acrylics on canvas but is known to create mixed media, sculpture, found art, and other unique creations that help others see the world as she does.
Maria resides in Maryland about halfway between Baltimore and Washington DC.
Sophia Edgar
Sophia Edgar
(She/her)
“Defund The Police”
Photoshop
$10 per print (Proceeds donated to BLM Organizations)
Sophia Edgar
(She/her)
“ACAB”
Photoshop
$10 per print (Proceeds donated to BLM Organizations)
Sophia Edgar
(She/her)
“PIC”
Photoshop
$10 per print (Proceeds donated to BLM Organizations)
Bio/Statement: My name is Sofia Edgar, my pronouns are she/her, and I am a 19-year-old student from Colorado now living in Bellingham. I have been making art for as long as I can remember. I use art as a vessel for my thoughts and emotions but I also love using it as an outlet to express ideas and messages that inspire other people. In June and July, I recognized the impact in which the BLM movement had (and has) on my generation, and how important it is to change the racial hierarchies that are ingrained in this country. Social media in this time had become (and still is) a source of information for people to learn and acknowledge their own racial biases. I saw that people were using art to spread information and awareness. Through this and attending protests I decided to utilize my photoshop skills to make mini-posters for the movement, and potentially sell a few prints to help raise money.