2022 Art for Social Change Winners

Social Justice in Action:

This award is given to art works that address contemporary issues of inequality and injustice at the local, national, or global level.

First Place: Reid Brown

“Behind the curation of these two digital collages
was the desire to become closer to the Black voices and stories that have shaped my work as a writer, artist, and creative being. Being from the American South, I grew up around the rich, violent, and beautiful history of race around me and learned that good American literature or art in general would not exist in the absence of Black voices. As a young writer I was given the opportunity to look inside myself and find connections to these powerful women and try to understand the human struggles they bore witness to. I created this pair of collages to pay homage to two of my greatest idols, and to allude to their works that shaped me: “Strange Fruit” by Billie Holiday, and “The Bluest Eye” by Toni Morrison.”

Second Place: Hunter Ferrell

“A criticism of fanaticism, and a condemnation of
outdated hateful ideologies. Comparing the goals and views of modern day groups to that of America a century ago through the idyllic white family of the past. While also pointing out the sentiment of ignorance towards historical events and the health of the Earth. I lost a loved one due to the irresponsible actions of this criticized group. My hope is viewers will think critically of them and their choices so as to educate ourselves and others.”

Third Place: Cortney Gosset                                                                                                                    

“Earth democracy, a concept often unthought of. The idea that the earth itself has its own rights… For 15 years the United States and WR Grace held a patent on the neem tree. A fertilizer as commonly used at cow dung. Yet a pivotal resource to their culture. The World Trade Organization watched this and to an extent supported…global corporations monopolized the markets and took complete control of India’s natural resource. Natural resources are overexploited and marginalized, farmers are put in compromising positions…”

Certificate of Recognition: Dongming Zhao

“The Goulash expressed the “Fusion” concept of different cultures. It seems that the significance of diversity, equity and inclusion for US society more important than in any country now. I understand how people internalize feelings if they were treated equally with others in contrast they were devalued or marginalized. As a new immigrant, I understand how people are always looking for a sense of belonging. This authentic voice pushed me to create this artwork called “The Goulash “.”

Best in Show

Joel Makoudem

“This poem came out of my general experience as a Black man. It deals with the lessons I’ve learned wrestling with the reality and danger of blackness in America and also trying to find pride in that, which is a journey that does feel often like lessons in a subject you’re forced to study for survival or at least peace. It also deals with my feeling that blackness and racism is really a global struggle, one that’s been repeating itself for centuries and will keep on repeating itself without serious action. The spacing, use of “blk” instead of Black, and slashes even take inspiration from revolutionary poetry of the 70s like Sonia Sanchez which, I think, embodied the type of pride and resistance we need.”

Afrocentric Studies

1.

the first lesson is /blk/               students learn a new lesson

every day like

one in my /class/                         sees /blood/ on her test

books but that's just

because a previous student                     /owned/ it

one student fails /every/test/

because he can't memorize /every/

/name/ the lesson being        he will fail

/every/test/ they

are always adding names &

making bloody textbooks


the /first/ lesson is afrocentric studies is /relentless/

when they are pounding yr head so

hard the next /seven/ generations feel it/it feels

like it goes on forever


2.

history / your history /is a violent                             circle/my

Great-Grandfather was killed

the same time Breonna Taylor                      was/you're

probably dying the same day  i am/they take

the same steps backs every day &

spit forward


but your history is joy/we study /blk/ smiles &

you and your grand/parents/children are

smiling at the same time/the studies

are to figure out why they smile harder


3.

but one more lesson before we leave/afrocentric

studies is you/blk/baDDD/an

icon you

will feed Malcolm's fire and lick the

yt house/blk/you

used to have a price now

they don't know what to do with you