I had the pleasure of visiting HOME HERE at the Visual Arts Gallery, curated by Lucy Rovetto. This exhibit showcases women artists living in Jersey City and explores ideas of history, place, and memory through a site-specific installation. The installation is designed in such a way that the artwork bleeds into each other without any boundaries. One of the first pieces that caught my attention was “Something Happened Here” by Jin Jung. This piece incorporates a variety of mixed media components such as ceramics, a sculpture of a small house, and a map. The way in which the historical markers were layered on the map, in addition to the three-dimensional house sculpture, made this piece seem both informative and intimate. I learned about several different historical events that occurred in Jersey City, a place where I have lived but never knew much about.
Another work that caught my attention was by Cheryl R. Riley. Her piece features a simple shopping bag enclosed in plexiglass and positioned separately from the surrounding works, almost like an island. That physical separation makes it immediately stand out. The plexiglass elevates the object, giving importance and value to something usually seen as disposable. On the outside of the bag are collaged images representing powerful stories of Black women, highlighting strength, history, and resilience. When looking inside the bag, the imagery shifts to white women, representing what was actually “bought.” That contrast feels intentional and critical, questioning whose stories are publicly honored and whose are truly valued in society. I chose these works because both made me reflect on visibility and history, one through mapping and education, and the other through symbolism and contrast.
As someone who works in graphic design but also enjoys hands on mediums like ceramics and sculpture, I feel inspired by how both artists combine concept and material to communicate deeper social messages.
No comments:
Post a Comment