About the Artist
Rhonda Mathis – Black Lives Matter speaks out against police brutality and systemic racism. At its most basic level, it bears witness to the fact that Black people are twice as likely to be killed by a police officer while unarmed compared to a White individual. Of course, every life is valuable but in this society, black lives are not viewed as being equal in value as our white counterparts. When I was asked to participate in this show I looked at my artwork and I chose to show the pieces that represent the beauty and the pain of being black. The pride, the fear, the hopefulness, and the determination I feel as a Black woman in this white world are galvanized in each piece. We can all work together to unravel the racial injustice that permeates virtually every aspect of our world. It is hard and uncomfortable work. But nothing worth having is easy to obtain.
Kelle Lalier– I am a recent Caldwell University graduate who specializes in Graphic Design. I created this piece shortly after the protests began to show my support for those who have been affected by the system. Caldwell University is an extremely inclusive community with very talented people from all over the world. It saddens me that we are repeating history in America, I will never tolerate racial injustice. I will use my artwork and more importantly my voice to spread awareness and show support for those who are targeted. I understand that I will never understand, however, I stand.
Website: kellelalier.squarespace.com
Yaman Thapa– Yaman is an explorer majoring in Biology and Chemistry. She often finds herself lost in the aesthetics of the physical world. She does self-portraits, origami, macrame, art, fiction writing, and spoken word poetry. She loves reading and listening to stories. She tries to use her skills for understanding people as she believes we are all connected in one way or the other.
Instagram art page: @remoulded
Spoken word poetry: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3pNIWYby5Q&t=26s”
Medium account: https://medium.com/@yaman.thapayt
Jala Stowe– Hi, my name is Jala Stowe. I am a junior Health Science major here at Caldwell. I chose to write these pieces to encapsulate some of the difficult conversations I’ve had to have, in the midst of this pandemic. Life imitates art and art imitates life. I am honored to be a part of this gallery and hope you enjoy my work.
Riana Ramirez- In recent months a lot of cultural issues have surfaced among society. Leaving tension and animosity between various groups of people. The African American community has always been brought into these cultural issues for decades. From slavery and segregation to police brutality, the mass incarceration of African American men and let’s not forget racism. Society has once again, decided to create another cultural issue discriminating and judging the African American community on their means to express themselves through the way they wear their hair. With this in mind, the creation of this project was to turn these judgments and discrimination against the African American community into a positive representation of the culture and their ideas. Through these works I have to give this community a platform to share their opinions on what they think and feel about current cultural issues and the alienation that these individuals might face as a result of our current society and politics in today’s world. My work shines a light on the importance of hair and how it is a vehicle for self-expression within this culture as a whole.
Christina O. – A Flower for Mama was a Mother’s Day gift for Sybrina Fulton, where each of seven artists selected a letter in “TRAYVON” to create a part of a seven-series piece. I selected the letter “Y” which doubles as the magnolia branch. For this piece, I had a deep focus and connection on Trayvon’s eyes to capture their innocence. Generally, my work is inspired by events that directly impact my life, at other times; I create pieces with a political undertone that affects the world around me. I often use my art as a vehicle to say what needs to be said when words aren’t enough, because art simply has a way of delivering a message the way nothing else can.
Instagram: @artist_life;
Website: ChristinaOweebly.com
Etica Minott- This piece of a black woman is a representation of an accumulation of feelings I, along with friends and family, have been feeling over the years. Sometimes things are difficult to say, but by making art, it helps to vocalize thoughts and emotions on a higher level.
Ursula Pitts- I am a first-semester school counseling graduate student who is mom of 4 sons. I am an Attendance Officer/Central Registration Lead. I love art and being creative through writing, drawing, baking, and decorating.
Raveene