Category Archives: Social Practice

Dispossessed

Homeless (Michelle), Carolyn Harper Cohen, batik and hand dyed fabric that has been pieced, appliqued and quilted by hand, 60″ x 52″

The Dispossessed by Carolyn Harper Cohen

Muse Gallery is pleased to present The Dispossessed by Carolyn Harper Cohen. The exhibition will run from November 1st – November 27th, 2017 with an opening reception First Friday, November 3rd from 5-8:00 p.m.

Carolyn Harper Cohen’s work has a strong social justice component to it as she creates images of people or groups who have been marginalized, discriminated against, or abused. Each of the works in this exhibit is of a particular Philadelphian; someone living in an area homeless shelter or on the streets. Many of these individuals are children. The works provide faces to those who are faceless, nameless and powerless, and bear witness to those who are suffering. The beauty that the artistic process brings to the images creates a tension with the inherent cruelty of the lives of the subjects; in admiring the works, the viewer becomes almost complicit in their abuse and neglect.

Homeless (Alexus), hand pieced, hand sewn quilt, 40″ x 48″, Carolyn Harper Cohen

The works consist of either hand embroidered batiks or hand sewn large art quilts. The methods are layered, as are the colors. The work is tactile and raw rather than slick; the fabric hand dyed, each stitch obsessively sewn by hand. The engrossing surface quality slows down perception, encouraging viewers to react to the work in a very deliberate way.

This work can be seen within the context of ‘craftivism’: a term coined in 2003 by writer Betsy Greer which can be defined as “a way of looking at life where voicing opinions through creativity makes your voice stronger, your compassion deeper and your quest for justice more infinite.”

Craft has traditionally been viewed as ‘women’s work’ and as such was marginalized and undervalued, but the craft techniques in this work can be seen as subverting the traditional genre of portraiture. Piecing fabric together creates an image that is quite different, and less real, than a painting, which oftentimes seeks to imitate and/or idealize the person being portrayed. Instead, Carolyn Harper Cohen has searched to find the individual and emotional human character of each individual.

www.carolyncohenart.com

Thank you to Carolyn Harper Cohen for the content of this post.

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#POST2017

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THIS OCTOBER: Explore. Discover. Connect with a vibrant artist community during Philadelphia Open Studio Tours

October 7: South | October 8: Northeast | October 14: Northwest | October 15: West | FROM NOON – 6:00 PM

PHILADELPHIA, PA – September 11, 2017. From October 7 through October 15, 2017 the Center for Emerging Visual Artists (CFEVA) will present the 18th annual Philadelphia Open Studio Tours (POST)—a behind-the-scenes look at a day in the life of a visual artist. Discover Philadelphia’s creative gems—artist studios, house galleries, maker spaces and community workshops—as hundreds of artists throw open their doors and bring the artistic process front and center in twenty Philadelphia neighborhoods.

POST is a community building initiative designed to strengthen bonds within the visual artist sector, foster meaningful interaction between artists and the public, and promote a greater awareness for the creative minds that make Philadelphia a vibrant place to live, work, and visit. New this year, POST is four distinct quadrants: South, Northeast, Northwest and West. The program spotlights the vitality of each neighborhood’s visual arts scene and underscores the important contributions artists make to our city’s economy and civic life.

Lucas Kelly by Matthew Bender

Great for all ages, POST makes connecting with local artists easy in an approachable and easy-to-navigate, self-guided tour over two consecutive weekends. The program provides attendees with a rare glimpse at the creative process through open studio visits, hands-on demonstrations, workshops, artist discussions, receptions, guided tours, and featured exhibitions. No other open studio event in the region provides a rich and diverse cultural experience to the public, free of charge.

Philadelphia Open Studio Tours is made possible with generous support from Sonesta Hotel Philadelphia, myCIO Wealth Partners, LLC, Reed Smith LLP, University of Pennsylvania and 40ST Artist-in-Residence Program. Additional support is provided by Brandywine Realty Trust, Stifel, MJB Wealth Management, The William Penn Foundation, Philadelphia Cultural Fund, and the Independence Foundation. Promotional support is provided by Fireball Printing, HeavyBubble, Metro Philadelphia, ici, and Design Philadelphia.

The Center for Emerging Visual Artists receives state arts funding support through a grant from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.

Rachel Constantine by Mae Belle Vargas

Featured Exhibitions and Events

Comprehensive festival information is available at philaopenstudios.org, the best source for the most up-to-date details about participating artists, venue locations, and events. Audiences can search POST participants alphabetically by last name, geographically by neighborhood, and thematically by type of work or media. Printed Directories are available for free at all participating POST venues starting in mid-September. CFEVA and ici are proud to offer studio visitors a free POST mobile app and smartphone guide, powered by the ici platform. Information about the mobile app and smartphone guide is online at www.icihere.com, or by following the ici User Guide, available immediately after download.

SOUTH

POST @HBHQ

October 7 to 8 │ NOON to 6PM

Reception: October 8 │6 to 8PM

Featuring Elena Bouvier, Bill Brookover, and PD Packard. @HBHQ is an exhibition, workshop, and demonstration space housed at 1241 Carpenter Studios, and curated by the artist team at Heavybubble.

1241 Carpenter St, 3rd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19147 │heavybubble.com/hbhq

Da Vinci Art Alliance (DVAA) OPEN HOUSE

October 7 │ NOON to 5PM

Get in the Halloween spirit early with Da Vinci Art Alliance (DVAA)! Enjoy an afternoon of art-making, cider-sipping and glass pumpkin patch picking all while supporting DVAA, Tyler School of Art, and CFEVA’s Philadelphia Open Studio Tours. Featuring Periphery”, a group of multi-disciplinary artists whose production and conceptual queries are articulated on the outer boundaries of their material communities.
704 Catharine St, Philadelphia, PA 19147 │ www.davinciartalliance.org

POST Artist Katherine Fraser in her studio at 319 N. 11th St.

NORTHEAST

Over the Rainbow

August 20 to October 15
Artist Talk: October 15 │ Noon
Featuring new work by CFEVA Fellow Mi-Kyoung Lee

ArtBox at Shirt Corner │ 259 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19106 │ www.cfeva.org

Glen Foerd on the Delaware

October 8 │Tour/Artist Talk: 11AM & 12:30PM Reception: 4 to 6PM
Featuring installations by Talia Greene, Lewis Colburn, Myung Gyun You, and Aislinn Pentcost-Farren with Camp Little Hope. 2017-18 Resident, Karina Puente, will be working on site.

5001 Grant Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19114 │ www.glenfoerd.org

Old City Fest

October 8 │11AM to 6PM

Old City Fest is a celebration of art and design, fashion and food, creativity and culture on the streets of America’s most historic square mile.

3rd and Arch St │ www.oldcitydistrict.org/oldcityfest

NORTHWEST

LandLab

October 14 │ NOON to 6PM

A partnership between The Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education (SCEE) and CFEVA, LandLab Residents will spend the next year engaging with SCEE’s property, conducting research, and developing creative installations that intervene with the land. Visit them during POST f to learn more about ways in which they will be working to remediate the ecological issues found in the 340-acre wooded property.

Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education │ 8480 Hagy’s Mill Rd, Philadelphia, PA 19128 │ www.schuylkillcenter.org

Local Engagement at Awbury Arboretum
September 20 to October 20 │ 9AM to 5PM
Post-POST Reception: October 19 │ 6:30 to 8:30 PM

Awbury Arboretum is a historic landscape in Northwest Philadelphia that is free and open to the public 365 days a year. The parlors of the beautiful Francis Cope House will feature 2017 POST Northwest artists.
Awbury Arboretum │ One Awbury Rd, Philadelphia, PA 19138 │www.awbury.org

WEST

CFEVA@Sonesta

Through December 31 │ Artist

Featuring works by: Henry Bermudez, Andrea Krupp, Robert Miller, and Dolores Poacelli.

Sonesta Hotel │1800 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19103 │www.sonesta.com

40ST Artist-in-Residence

October 15 │ NOON to 6PM

A year-long studio program catering to West Philadelphia. Residents include Santiago Galeas, Khiry W. Worrell, Serena Muthi Reed, Josh Graupera, and Margaret Kearney.

4007 & 4013 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19104 │ www.40streetair.blogspot.com

For Our Ancestors
October 9 to November 14
Artist Talk: October 15 at 2:00 PM

Featuring new photographic pop-up books by Colette Fu that “speak, mediate, express, delight and inform.” Constructing pop-ups allows Fu to combine intuitive design and technical acuity with her love of travel and curiosity about the world around her.

CFEVA │ 237 S 18 St, 3A, Philadelphia, PA 19103 │www.cfeva.org

About CFEVA

With of mission to cultivate, nurture, and advance the careers of emerging visual artists while simultaneously expanding opportunities for the public to discover and connect with art, CFEVA’s services are designed to: raise the profile of Philadelphia’s professional artists, foster artistic experimentation and innovation, and showcase how vibrant artistic communities boost cultural tourism and foster economic development. Through fellowships, residencies, educational outreach, exhibitions, professional development, and city-wide events, CFEVA provides artists with the tangible resources needed to develop viable and sustainable careers.

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Explore Philadelphia’s visual arts community this October with POST, a free citywide event. #POSTPHL #POST2017
Hundreds of artist workspaces open this October during Philadelphia Open Studio Tours! #POSTPHL #POST2017

Thank you to CFEVA for the content of this POST.

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HOW

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ANDREA, 2017 by Ada Trillo

”Andrea is dying of stomach cancer and addicted to heroin,” said Trillo.

“HOW DID I GET HERE?”
BY ARTIST ADA TRILLO

PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION
TWENTY-TWO GALLERY

PHILADELPHIA, PA – June, 2017 – Twenty-Two Gallery is pleased to announce the opening of a new photography exhibition by Philadelphia-based artist Ada Trillo entitled “How Did I Get Here?” The dynamic portrait series documents the exploitation of women in the prostitution industry. The opening reception is Thursday, July 13, 2017 and the exhibition runs through August 6, 2017. Proceeds will benefit organizations helping to end prostitution and human trafficking.

Photographed in the brothels of Juarez, Mexico, Trillo captures the adversity these women must overcome in their daily lives, giving context and an identity to the prostitutes. With this exhibition, she is raising awareness about this global issue and inviting you to be part of the solution. Proceeds from the sale of these photographs will be donated to two organizations: The Coalition Against Trafficking Women, an international organization dedicated to protecting human rights, and the Mother Antonia Center of the Oblate Sisters of the Most Holy Redeemer, Mexico City, who support the dignification of women in prostitution who work in La Merced.

On her experience, Trillo shared “This series and experience has greatly humbled me, and I hope it will have an impact, moving viewers to want to make a difference as well.”

Many artists deploy photography for commentary on a variety of issues in society. Its intent is to provoke a response and, frequently, its two most common subject matters are poverty and labor. Trillo’s exhibition does both. The subjects of her portraits are prostitutes working in Juarez, known for its violent drug cartel.

“A majority of the women are not from Juarez. Instead, many were abducted into the sex trade while attempting to cross the border, or sold into the industry by family members,” stated Trillo.

CLAUDIA, 2017 by Ada Trillo

”Claudia was abused as a minor by her stepfather and ended up as a prostitute and heroin user. The last time I was there she had been missing for 30 days,” shared Trillo.

Nearly all of the women are addicted to drugs—crack cocaine and heroin—and have neither healthcare nor access to rehabilitation. Those who cannot attract clients are deprived of food. Trillo braved the Juarez Valley for her series of photographs taken during multiple visits over three years.

The power of Trillo’s narrative creates an intersection of sympathy, dignity, and hope. This is Trillo’s first foray into photography. She is also a painter, whose paintings use “symbolism of transformation, impermanence, and power” and now, so does her photography. This summer’s exhibition at Twenty-Two Gallery, “How Did I Get Here?” will be an opportunity to introduce Trillo’s new genre to a broader audience and raise awareness about the trafficking and exploitation of women as an international issue.

Twenty-Two Gallery | 236 South 22^nd Street Philadelphia, Pa 19103

Opening | Thursday, July 13 | 6:00pm-8:00pm

Exhibition Dates & Times | July 14 – August 6

Wednesdays through Sundays | 12:00pm – 6:00pm or by appointment

ABOUT ADA TRILLO | WEBSITE www.adatrillo.com | INSTAGRAM @adatrilloart

Ada Trillo is an artist who works in multiple media, including oil and acrylic painting, as well as photography. Her work is influenced by the rich cultural heritage of the American Southwest and Mexico and the symbols related to Latin culture. It is frequently characterized by her use of gold powder and gold leaf.

Born on the American/Mexican border, Trillo lives and works in Philadelphia and frequently travels to Mexico and Europe for inspiration while continuing to develop as an artist with classes in painting and photography at PAFA and the University of the Arts. She has been featured in solo, two-person and group exhibitions and is represented by RASCO Fine Arts and Twenty-Two Gallery in Philadelphia.

For editorial & image inquiries:
Tara Theune Davis | Bespoke Strategies | taratheunedavis@gmail.com | 917.318.5577

Thank you to Tara Theune Davis for the content of this post.

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12th

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Brooke Jana, Pussy Hat

RESIST

Off the Wall Gallery at Dirty Frank’s

12th Annual Community Juried Show

In a way, RESIST, our 12th Annual Community Juried Show OPENING THIS THURSDAY, is a sequel — perhaps an unfortunate one — to last summer’s HOW WOULD YOU SAVE THE WORLD? We do need some saving. Right now.

Chloe Pinero, Pose

But rather than offer ideas for evolution, the 34 artists of RESIST — 16 of them brand-new to our space — are often more closely attuned to the frequency of revolution. They tap into this energy and harness it to power their creativity.

Chloe Pinero, Titi’s House

The results just as easily can be ad hominems or odes to courage:

* We see the many faces of the demagogue who needs exposing (not exposure), painted in a JIM BIGLAN lampoon, spliced together in an ALYSE C. BERNSTEIN collage, made into the stuff of children by LANCE PAWLING and JOSH TODD, as well as…
* The heroes of the Resistence, from WOODLEY WHITE‘s recognizable leaders and CHLOÉ PIÑERO‘s resolute fighters to ALONZO TROY HUMPHREY‘s haunting figures and BOB GORCHOV‘s ultimately triumphant angel.

Chris Vecchio, RESIST #2
But if RESIST were composed merely of perceived good and evil, our show, shackled to this dichotomy, would fail to aspire or inspire. Instead our jury uncovered greater depths.
* DAVID R. EVANSON adds four images from his compelling “Strange Fruit” series, which shows racial injustice and resistance in a visual language of his own invention.
* BROOKE JANA makes words one of her media, inviting you to spend time inside her intricate constructions.
* Look up to take in HEATHER RAQUEL PHILLIPS and CHIARA NO‘s hangable book, which predicts a banner day for empowerment.
* MONK E BURNSWELL dominates the 3D case with a measure of last resort that channels both Duchamp and Cornell.

David R. Evanson, Incarceration

So can RESIST mean something apolitical? Sure it can. It always has. To wit:
* ELIZABETH H. “BETTY” MACDONALD‘s cockroachs, the never-say-die warriors from the insect world,
* NOA TRAVALIA‘s tangled web of foods we love…though we know we really shouldn’t, and,
* CHRIS VECCHIO‘s carved “ohmage,” which returns resistance to its electrical origins.

David R. Evanson, Selma

And we’re not halfway through our show. So even after you experience these works in person, you will have plenty more to discover firsthand.

Brooke Jana, BANFIRE

And if you choose to purchase art, you will be doing more than speaking out. You will be speaking up for members of our community. 20% OF ALL SALES benefit two urgently needed nonprofit organizations in our own backyard: the WOMEN’S MEDICAL FUND (womensmedicalfund.org) and SUNDAY BREAKFAST RESCUE MISSION (sundaybreakfast.org).

Lance Pawling, All the King’s Horses

Plus, as is always the case with our OPENING RECEPTIONS, there will be light hors d’oeuvres to nibble…your favorite drinks poured by none other than JODY SWEITZER, our host and curator…tunes playing on the juke…and much, much livelier conversation offline. In addition, a handful of our artists will be singled out with JURY CITATIONS, which we will announce at the Opening, roughly an hour into our party. And don’t pay too close attention to the end time; we’re sure to keep going well past 10:00.

HARD TO RESIST, RIGHT?!?

We look forward to seeing you Thursday evening!

Togo

Togo Travalia
Manager

OFF THE WALL GALLERY at Dirty Frank’s

NE Corner, 13th & Pine Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19107

offthewallgallery@gmail.com

(215) 732-5010 (bar)

(484) 357-6440 (cell)

Philly’s pioneering alternative art space, since 1978.

June 4th to August 4th, 2017

Opening Reception June 8th, 7:00 – 10:00pm

Off the Wall Gallery at Dirty Frank’s, 13th and Pine Streets, Philly

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